Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this ALC!!

To say I’m obsessed is an understatement. This book was SO GOOD.

First of all, I listened to this book, and the narrator for this audiobook absolutely killed it. The production was high quality and so crisp and clear. There are a lot of characters, especially in the beginning, and sometimes it’s really hard to get behind the “voices” the narrator puts on to help distinguish them. Not so in this book. I thought each character had a distinct sound without being cringey. The narrator did a great job keeping me locked into the story.

I loved the world, the magic system, and the characters so much. Somehow this pretty dark world with very dark themes and content was such a delight to read.

The banter was so fun, the twists were exciting, and who doesn’t live for the enemies to lovers vibes? I’m convinced this book was written just for me and I cannot wait to pick up a physical copy as soon as I can.

I am dying inside knowing I have to wait for book 2 to come out. Julie, please give it to meeee!!

5 stars!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to listen to Rose and Chains by Julie Soto early. This was my first Julie Soto book I’ve read and I really enjoyed it. I think Julie really did the Romantasy genre well. While I haven’t read much dark romance books, I was completely taken by this story. The characters were so very well developed, and the play between present and past kept me on my toes. The narrator took a little bit to get use to but once I got used to it I was thoroughly taken by the story and the narrator. Yes it is dark so if you’re going into this expecting it to be like a regular Romantasy book you will probably be disappointed. I HIGHLY recommend you checking the trigger warnings before starting this book. Just so you know what you’re getting into.

Overall I really enjoyed this audiobook and I will definitely be reading it again!

Overall: 4/5⭐️

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint!

Story 4/5 ⭐️
We follow Briony as her world crumbles around her. She goes from princess to Toven’s Heartspring (something I like to think of as a Handmaid from The Handmaid’s Tale). This story is DARK. Heed the trigger warnings. I loved the angst between Toven and Briony. It was palpable.

World Building 2/5 ⭐️
I do wish there was a little bit more world building done. For those who haven’t read Harry Potter, they might not understand Rory’s role or the prophecy.

Narrator: 5/5 ⭐️
The narrator did such an excellent job with all the different characters. I loved how she gave Toven a deep, dark voice, a sultry voice for Ilana, a creepy nasally voice for Reighven. It’s just all excellently done.

Tropes:
✅ Dramione-coded
✅ Slowest of slow-burns
✅ morally grey MMC
✅ forced proximity
✅ Dark Romantasy

Overall, if you enjoy dark, intense Romantasy that’s Dramione-coded, you’ll love this book! While I don’t think you need to read HP to get this book, I do think you just need to know that Harry Potter was prophesied to kill the dark lord (in this case, Mallow).

Thank You Grand Central Publishing, Julie Soto, and NetGalley for this ALC. I have purchased a deluxe edition and can’t wait to get my hands on it.

Spoiler thoughts below:
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1.) I took a star off for the excessive emphasis on Briony’s fertility and virginity. (Okay her fertility I could understand because Mallow does not want heirs.) However, the whole virginity issue could have been circumvented by a certain willing partner. Was he not willing? If you’ve read the book, please let me know your thoughts bc I need to talk to someone about this! Did he want to or not???

I really enjoyed this book - the story really drew me in and I liked all the characters. I found some of the world building and the magic system a little confusing/not fully fleshed out but it didn't negatively impact my experience. Especially listening to the audiobook, I found it hard to remember all the character names and follow who was who. I really enjoyed the flashbacks that helped explain the character relationships.

I liked the audiobook narration a lot -- a appreciated the different voices for different characters.

I'm looking forward to the rest of the series and seeing what happens next.

This is how you do romantasy!!!
First of all, there are a lot of problematic elements in the books like purity culture, rape, slavery, and more. I found these themes handled well and see the author setting up more critiques for further books. But this still isn't for everyone. Please check out TRIGGER WARNINGS.
This book really just lays the ground stones for the overall story, but I enjoyed Soto actually taking the time to flesh out the characters' dynamics and slowly working up to deeper feelings satisfying. I also enjoyed the worldbuilding, which she took care to heavily change from the Harry Potter world. However, if you look for fast paced or plot driven you'll be disappointed.

The narrator did an amazing job. I have nothing to criticize. I had a great time.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to enjoy this in advance! While I do not often read dark romance, I was completely taken by this story. The characters were so well developed, and the play between present and past kept me on my toes. I really liked the narrator, the audiobook is very well done. I can not wait to see what happens next!

Julie Soto excels at writing books that I cannot put down, and Rose in Chains is no different! I was thankful for the alternating timelines between Briony and Toven's experiences in school (and afterward) and the day of the battle moving forward - the "present" timeline is dark and heavy, and I found the school flashbacks to be a breath of fresh air.

I read a physical copy of Rose in Chains a few months ago, and was excited to listen to the audio as well. The narrator speaks faster than most, and I found 1.0 or 1.25 to be the perfect listening speed (I like to speed it up when I'm actively doing something). I found her tone to match Briony's personality well.

I cannot wait to read the future books in this series!

5/5 AMAZING

Anything written by Julie Soto is an auto-read for me. I actually learned about Julie through her published works, so I had no understanding of her writing in another space. I've heard about the premise and background of this story, but didn't expect it to be as "dark" as it was. Please look through the trigger warnings before listening! I thought I was fine but there were parts I needed to pause/skip.

Rose in Chains has
- Magic system (heart vs mind magic)
- Political intrigue
- Enemies-to-lovers
- Captor/captive
- Forced Proximity
- Mutual Pining
- Slow burn

Ella Lynch was a great narrator for Briony! The story came easily to me after the first 20-30%. As with most stories, the beginning is a lot of world building and info-dumping (in a good way). I had a hard time keeping up with audio alone so I would recommend following along in a physical copy to better grasp the info.

The forced proximity/mutual pining was DELICIOUS. The slow burn was very real as nothing official has happened. There also wasn't any "real" spice, which is understandable since RiC is book 1 of 3. Regardless, I loved everything about Briony and Toven. I've already reread my favorite parts twice now because I can't get enough. Really looking forward to the next installment!

Thank you Hachette Audio and Netgalley for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

An absolute delicious slow burn dark romantasy. There is a reason this fanfic is being published traditionally!

This is my first Julie Soto book and to be honest I haven’t read The Auction yet but I’m a huge Dramione shipper, so this story is absolutely everything. It’s a five star story for me, but I do think it still reads as fanfic and you have to kind of know where the base story is coming from.

Ella, the narrator, did a fantastic job too! I thoroughly enjoyed the audio for this book.

Pre-ordered and I’m so excited for the physical! This is book club pick next month friends!

Thank you NetGalley and Hatchette Audio for the ALC! As always all opinions are my own :)

I loved this book! I never read the original fanfic. While I can’t compare to that, this story holds up so well on its own. The characters, magic, and plot is its own and well developed.

The story starts up with action, high stakes, and tension right away. We learn more about the background of the characters in flashbacks that are well done. I was nervous about how dark the story would be, and it definitely is, but I was thinking it could have been worse for the main character. Like I’m glad it actually felt balanced with bad things happening while there was still hope.

I was surprised that this story is such a slow burn. I do prefer a slow burn, but the romance is being resisted by the MMC. To me, that just means the romantic tension will continue in the next book!

The audiobook was well done! You know it’s good when you’re so absorbed in the story that time flies by without even thinking about the narration. The story flowed in a way that kept me gripped. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for providing me with an ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

4/5 stars

The SLOWBURN? Yes please! I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. Ended up flying through 70% in one day because I just couldn’t. Stop. Reading.

I did see some of the twists coming but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all. I could read another 600 pages of this, easy.

And now we wait (impatiently) for book two to be released..

Thank You NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC!

Honestly loved the book! It does feel like it starts of slow with the first half establishing the world, some background on the characters and events before and after the auction itself. I really recommend people reading the Trigger Warnings and check reviews if this is right for them. This is a dark romance with heavy topics that might not be suitable for everyone. As someone who has not read 'The Auction' I can say this book can be read without having to read the original piece this was inspired by, though that does leave a few things that leaves you scratching your head on. Overall it was a great read, with Briony questioning what to do for her and her people when her Brother, the one that everyone had hopes for, dies. The slow burn she has with Toven, from being cautious after the auction to slowly seeing the side he's hiding from her. My only real complaint is that the flashbacks disoriented the flow of the narrative at times, but overall was a great book!

Ella Lynch did an amazing job delivering the book! Some of the males voices sounded sleezy when they needed to be and gave that emphasis needed. Though, Toven and Briony's voices were something I had to get use to a bit, but after a while, I adjusted to them. Pronunciation was clear and nothing ever sounded out of place. Thank you for bringing us this amazing narration of the book!

Alas, I'm but a simple hoe-- and Julie Soto totally gets it.

Well edited, well produced, well narrated, easy to fall into and enjoy.
This was an absolute joy to read and will probably end up one of my favourites of 2025.

2.5/5

This was not for me. I try to venture out every so often when there are books with a lot of positive buzz, but this was not it for me.

The plot made little sense (if you take it out of the context of the original world this book is based on), the character relationships were rushed to be established while also painfully slow to go anywhere, and the contrast between serious issues and immature jealousy is jarring. Your friends were sold and are actively being abused for their magic and bodily autonomy, but sure, let's spend pages on how you are jealous that Tevon took someone else to those parties. Instead of being outraged that he protects you while using other women because he doesn't see them as worthy of the same respect, and that he can't communicate with you to save your life. Or even has a personality other than being obstinate, impractical, and, honestly, unimaginative.

It doesn't help that the writing doubts my intelligence. I don't need to be reminded three times that Toven lied that Briony had the pox. Not when we have Briony refusing to connect the dots that there is a rebellion brewing between the ruling class, or that Toven is attracted to her. There is a fine line between idiots in love and just plain idiots, and I fear Briony is on the latter side. I can suffer much for a good story, but I cannot do that while locked on an incompetent character's point of view. A character who doesn't care about anyone other than herself. It's the only conclusion I can gather when I am literally in Briony's mind, and I can't say anything about any of her friends, her brother, or even Toven. All I can say is that boys like Rahven are disgusting pigs who I know exist in the real world, but sound like lecherous and cartoonish villains with the cringey dialogue to back it up.

I honestly want to thank Ella Lynch for reading this book for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being the reason I could make it through this book.

Welcome to your new romantasy series!! Julie Soto sets up an interesting premise where the bad guys have taken over and are enslaving the defeated. Princess Briony has been captured and is being sold for auction. Enter Toven, a former classmate of Briony’s, and adventure ensues. With a touch of spice and major character development, I can’t wait to see where this story goes! Make sure to pay attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning.

Thank you, Julie Soto, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this audiobook! The sound quality was excellent. The narrator, Ella Lynch, did a great job bringing the characters to life!

"There is a lake with still waters."

If only you could've heard the scream that I screamt when I saw the approval email for the ALC.

Yes, Rose in Chains by Julie Soto is a reworked Dramione fanfic but for even the most diehard of Dramione readers, this book stood on it's own two legs as a brand new tale. This first book, of a trilogy, wastes no time and you are transported to the middle of a war between the warm, temperate lands of Evermore and the cold, harsh lands of Bomard. We are thrown into the critical moment where Evermore falls and Briony Rosewood (twin to the heir) is captured and stripped of her magic. From here, we follow her through her auction, and sale, to one Toven Hearst.

Honestly, I've been excited for this book ever since Julie announced it's publication - and it did not disappoint. I fell in love with the characters and was captivated by the unique magic system.This world Julie has created feels like coming home and I cannot wait for the next book!

Please note, Rose in Chains contains some dark themes. Please take care and review the trigger warnings as needed.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for my ALC.

To say I was obsessively hooked on this book is an understatement. First off, that cliff! I am now desperately waiting for book 2.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by the wonderful Ella Lynch. She truly brought this romantic fantasy story to life. The way she read Briony and Toven had me hanging on every last word!

This is a world with two rival magical peoples, Bomardis with heart magic and Eversuns with mind magic. The story centres around Briony Rosewood and her twin, Rory, who start off the story as the princess and prince of Evermore. They attend a magical training school together with the other Bomardi and Eversun children. In this magical school setting we are introduced to Toven Hearst, a rich Bomardi teen and talented magician, who quickly becomes Briony’s bully and enemy and makes her days at school difficult.

A war breaks out between the Bomardis and Eversuns and Briony is captured, her magic inaccessible and she is sold off to the highest bidder to be used as a magical boost. The winner of that auction is revealed to be Toven and Briony cannot believe her luck that she has ended up in the hands of her school bully, for him to siphon her magic as he pleases.

High stakes drama, slow burn tension and forced proximity unfold as Briony and Toven’s stories are revealed and they both pursue their own goals, which seem more and more similar as the book races towards the cliff.

Read this book if you love:
🪄 Interesting magical system
❤️ Enemies to lovers
🪄 Forced proximity
❤️ Dark romantic fantasy
🪄 Hermione x Draco fanfic
❤️ Morally grey MMC
🪄 Politics and scheming
❤️ Slooooow burn
🪄 Strong familial ties

Thanks to NetGalley, Julie Soto and Hachette Audio for the ALC of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Are you kidding me!?! Julie Soto kudos to you! I absolutely enjoyed this book! The world building and the angst it was across the board the best. The slowburn romance scorched me. I love how we see Briony truest self and how mysterious Toven continued to be. I cannot wait to uncover more secrets and missions in the next book.

I fear I might be too obsessed with this book, I literally requested and got an ALC too, just so I can reread it!

I loved this book so much! It was everything I hoped for and more. I AM OBSESSED!

After her kingdom fell and her brother was killed, Briony, along with other survivors of the attack, was captured and sold in an auction to the highest bidder. She gets sold to Toven, a enemy she knows all too well. Thrust into a new world full of horrors, she will soon find that not all hope is lost.

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 them and the painful slow burn was everything, it was so well written. Seeing Briony be so smart yet so stupid was both maddening and entertaining. I need more of them. I absolutely loved Toven, the way he protected her, as well as his family.

I really liked the audiobook, the narrator did a great job. Honestly, the dark elements of this story hit even harder listening to the audiobook.

That ending though, I need book two immediately!
I'm so excited to see where this story will take us.

Julie Soto never disappoint. Every book I’ve read is like gold. I was obsessed with the option of this book but this book of Rose and chains is on a next level. I’m so glad I got to read this.