
Member Reviews

I was lucky enough to get an eARC through NetGalley.
A unique magic system ✨️ with gothic one dark window vibes. I absolutely flew through this book!
I loved that the FMC consistently stuck with what she thought was right, continued to think for herself (with the information she had...) and was not majorly swayed by the romantic interest. My only criticism is that I guessed the big plot 'twist' at about 25% into the book... I still enjoyed seeing how the story would unfold but a little more subtlety wouldn't have been a bad thing. This also undermined the FMCs overall intellect as the book is from her perspective and the truth was so glaringly obvious. I think some descriptive sections between characters speech/conversation could also have been shortened as I found myself flicking back sometimes to remind myself what was said 😅
Overall, I enjoyed the book and am interested to see where the MCs journey goes next. I'm intrigued to see more of their world and hope more depth is built into their relationship in the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jillian Witt for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
⭐⭐⭐ for 'Jeweler to the Blessed' by Jillian Witt, anticipated release: August 2025
What I liked: I LOVE unique magic systems- it is why Rachel Gilling will always be one of my favorite authors. The magic system in this has to do with the 'Blessed' drawing out emotions upon the common people by using a special magical gem. I loved the layout of what each emotion attributes to a type of power for the wielder. The FMC has a secret she has spent her whole life concealing, and of course the plot pushes her in the direction of that very important secret being discovered. I thought that part of the writing was great to draw the reader in and make you really buy in later to her purpose. Also, the cover is beautiful and the story read really well with my ethereal lofi music in the background.
What I wasn't a fan of (respectfully): After reading so many romantasys, there was a lot of predictability to this story. It ended like the last 3 of my books did. The plot, while interesting, moved too slow for me and I did find myself racing to get to the end. I am not a fan of DNFing when I can help it so I stuck it out but honestly wasn't as invested as I have been with other stories recently.
Favorite/highlighted quotes:
"Whether it's a blessing or a curse, she must decide."
"A love so confusing that his world made little sense to him without her present."
"You are a single ember, lighting the darkest night, a beacon calling me across kingdoms. I'd find you anywhere, Chaos."

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Jeweler to the Blessed
I‘ll admit it — when I picked up „Jeweler to the Blessed“, I was not expecting to get emotionally punched by a slow-burn fantasy with a magic system powered by feelings and jewelry. The title didn’t exactly scream must-read, but wow, was I wrong.
Emberline is a null—immune to the magic of the “blessed” who rule the city and fuel their power by feeding on human emotion, channeled through enchanted adamas stones. Oh, and she just happens to be a jeweler. The setup practically begs for rebellion, inner conflict, and morally grey choices. When her uncle disappears (right before she tries to flee, of course), she’s forced to step into his role as royal jeweler—i.e., the person making the magical bling that keeps the population nice and oppressed.
Cue: a very morally complicated job, a deliciously suspicious personal guard named Hart, who says things like:
“You are a single ember, lighting the darkest night, a beacon calling me across kingdoms. I’d find you anywhere, Chaos.”
and one extremely reluctant heroine navigating a regime she’s never belonged to. Their chemistry? Glorious. A slow burn with enough tension to make me yell just kiss already at my e-reader more than once.
The worldbuilding is top-notch—unique without being overwhelming, intricate without getting bogged down in exposition. The only downside? Everything happens fast. Blink, and you’ve gone from new job to existential crisis to rebel plot. I would have loved a bit more time to breathe (and angst, let’s be real), but the emotional payoff and that cliffhanger? Worth every page.
Also, the nickname „Chaos“? Peak excellence. Ten out of ten—no notes.
If you like quiet rebellion, tension you could cut with a blade, and fantasy where magic isn’t just a tool—it’s a weapon of control—then this book is for you. I’m already impatiently waiting for book two. Because if we don’t get more Hart, I might start an uprising of my own.
Thank to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was such an interesting read, it had a slow start while we learn about the world and its myths. There were a lot of locations and back and forth and sometimes it felt confusing. The final few chapters really drew everything together beautifully and that cliffhanger.....
Overall I really enjoyed this and look forward to book 2.

I love this book. I'm so grateful to one of my book besties for posting and recommending this because I LOVE bodyguard romance. And this was incredible. The tension and yearning was top notch.
The writing was perfection. I loved how the author paced the story and every sentence drew me in. I didn't want to sleep because I needed more. I have a ton of quotes I want to spill all over IG.
Hart held my heart. I loved how he showcased his flirty side but still maintained his rawr face. And GODS his rawr face was HOT. The FMC was such a fun character too.
Okay and then... all of that plus a unique magic system. Unique worldbuilding. And the worldbuilding was done so well. I was intrigued the entire time and felt like I also lived and breathed in this world.
It's a definite 5 star from me.

Emberline has spent her whole life hiding a dangerous secret. The Blessed can steal anyone's emotions to fuel their magic but hers. Her uncle has shielded her, but now that he's gone missing, there is nothing standing between her and the King. Ember needs to find her uncle, but will she be able to search with Heart, the King's guard, following her?
Read if you like:
-Unique Magic Systems
-Nicknames (*ahem* Chaos)
-Secrets & Secret Identities
-Mystery
-Prophecy
I loved Jeweler to the Blessed! I've read some of Jillian Witt's other books and this feels like a combination of the best parts of them (worldbuilding and character development). Did I correctly predict some of the twists? Yes. But did some catch me completely unaware? Also yes. It's the first book in a new Romantasy series, and I am eagerly awaiting the next one!
Ember was such an intriguing character. She was so closed off because she was terrified of being discovered. And Hart was her perfect compliment. Charming and roguish with big touch-her-and-die energy. He challenged her and drew her out of her shell. This is a series you are not going to want to miss.

Ok it was the magic system and lore that got me in this one. Even though there are parts that feel a little slow, I promise it is worth it to stick to it! Since the magic system is so unique and highly tied to the lore of the story, it is essential. I've never read a book with a magic system tied to emotions and gems and it was a delight to explore.
The romance is slow burn and honestly, I wasn't hanging on it as much as I usually would because I was too busy learning the magic system, the lore and trying to solve the mystery before it was revealed 😅 I'm looking forward to book 2!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Victory Editing for this ARC!

Fantasy
Book 1 in a new series
Unique magic system
Hunky Guard = Delicious Tension
Ember’s secret is that she cannot be influenced by the Blessed’s magic.
After her Uncle goes missing, Emberlane is summoned by the Prince to replace her uncle as Jeweller to the Blessed. This is a dangerous occupation as this makes her a target for the resistance.
The Prince issues Ember with her own personal guard to protect her form the members of the resistance who wants to revolt against their power hungry King.
I absolutely devoured this book. It was incredibly good with great world building, a fantastic magic system and slow-burn romance. It is riddled with secrets and political intrigue that left me speechless. I highly recommend starting this fast paced series and I am dying for the next book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for this e-arc.

Jeweler to the Blessed is a tale wrapped in mystery with a fast paced narrative. Evolving character dynamics held my attention and made me wonder what would happen next, with some unexpected surprises thrown in. A desire-filled romantic relationship quickly forms between Emberline and Hart, ultimately falling in place with a bigger plan. This is a great read for lovers of action packed mystery, moderate romance, and dynamic characters.

10/10 A++ No notes! Absolute perfection
Emotion-siphoning magic system
Bodyguard
Forced proximity
He can’t touch her
Slow burn
Secrets…. So many secrets!
When her uncle unexpectedly disappears, Emberline must become Jeweler to the Blessed.because she is the only one capable of sensing the one thing that gives them the power to siphon emotions to store as power. The problem? Emberline has been hiding from the Blessed all her life. Some groups are rising against the Blessed, making Ember a target. Enter Hart, the mysterious guard in charge of protecting her. But can she trust him, and can she protect her heart?
To say this book had me from the first page is an understatement. The author uses epigraphs as a means to give you tidbits of relevant information and to keep you in suspense. The chemistry between Ember and Hart is almost physically palpable, and oh the delicious slow burn between the characters! Also, that ending? I need the next book like right now!

This story takes us through a world where magic and emotions are connected, where only a few have access to that magic and a world where there is a habit of abusing that magic… Our female lead is strong wielded but also mature and her growth is perceptible throughout the story.
The dynamic between her and the male lead is *chefs kiss*, the banter and the yearning, and the tension between them were nothing short of delicious and amazing!
The easter eggs and small details that are along the book are amazing and some will be “easy” to make sense of right away and others will have you guessing till the very end!
I am absolutely in love with the premise of this book and the world Jillian Witt built. The potential is immense.
This story will get you hooked from the very start, and it truly takes you in a beautiful journey.
One of the easiest 5⭐️ I have given!
Hope you all enjoy this as much as I have!

Thank you Netgalley
Loved this book! The magic system was so unique and was completely hooked.
Fantastic romantasy with compelling characters, cant wait for the next :)

ARC Review
Jeweler to the Blessed by Jillian Witt
Jeweler to the Blessed is a lush, slow-burn romantic fantasy full of intrigue, forbidden touch, and a refreshingly original magic system. If you enjoy stories where power is dangerous, emotions have literal weight, and the slightest touch could unravel everything—you’ll want to add this one to your list.
Emberline is a great protagonist: clever, cautious, and burdened by a secret that could destroy her if revealed. Her immunity to the Blessed’s emotion-draining magic makes her both a threat and a prize—and when she’s thrust into the spotlight as the kingdom’s new royal jeweler, the stakes rise sharply.
The story really shines in its atmosphere. The magic system feels both elegant and eerie—drawing on emotion through enchanted gemstones—and the political structure of the Blessed adds a tense, oppressive undercurrent to every interaction. You constantly feel the weight of Emberline’s fear: one wrong move, one careless touch, and everything could fall apart.
Enter Hart—the reluctant, sarcastic, dangerously perceptive guard. His banter and quiet protectiveness bring just the right amount of tension and warmth to balance the icy politicking of the court. Their chemistry is slow-burn gold, filled with stolen glances, restrained touches, and emotional undercurrents that feel earned rather than rushed.
💎 What I loved:
• An original magic system rooted in emotional alchemy and touch-based power
• A strong, smart heroine navigating moral ambiguity and court manipulation
• A bodyguard romance that doesn’t feel cliché
• Deep themes of autonomy, secrecy, and emotional restraint
🔍 Constructive thoughts:
• The beginning took a few chapters to find its footing—there’s a lot of lore front-loaded. Once the story settled in, it became much more immersive.
• Some secondary characters felt like missed opportunities—I would’ve liked to see more complexity from other Blessed or court figures.
• The ending leaves some big questions dangling, so readers who like tidy resolutions might find themselves craving a sequel (which I hope is coming!).
✨ Final thoughts:
A quietly intense fantasy romance with sharp political edges, a unique premise, and just the right amount of yearning. Jeweler to the Blessed is ideal for fans of Serpent & Dove, The Prison Healer, or The Bridge Kingdom. Emotional magic, forbidden touch, and a heroine who learns when to run—and when to burn it all down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jillian Witt for this ARC.
This is the second book I have read from Jillian, this was a completely different vibe from the previous book I read ( Bargains with Benefits).
Jeweler to the Blessed is a more fantasy-heavy story. The world is set in a kingdom where the Royal Family and Nobles are called Blessed, who have the power to take other people's emotions, as it gives them power.
Emberline learnt at a young age , at the detriment of her mother , that the Blessed couldn't take from her and she was immune to them. Since then, she has been living in fear of being found out and plans to escape the Kingdom as soon as she is of age. She had been apprenticing with her uncle to learn how to make the Adamas jewellery which is what the gives the Blessed their power,
Few days before Emberline planned to leave , she finds her uncle Alaric missing. Alaric works for the King to create his jewels.
Emberline is forced by the Prince to take over this role. To protect her she is assigned a guard Hart to keep her safe from the rebels called the Feared.
However the world is not as Emberline seems and her uncle had been keeping so many secrets from her.

5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was excited to read this because I really liked Jillian Witt’s cozy fantasy books so I was excited to see what she do with a decidedly uncozy Romantasy setting. I think I liked it even more. Jeweler to the Blessed is action packed and full of lore with a dabbling of court politics and rebellion, there isn’t much more I could ask for in a fantasy except for grumpy dragons, oh wait it has one of those too 🐉
What I liked in particular:
- The world building - this is intricately done and the magic system based on emotions is really interesting even if the Blessed are incredibly creepy.
-I liked Ember and Hart, their slow burn and their banter was perfect. It was a nice touch of romance that didn’t pull us out of the plot too much.
My only suggested improvement would be that it would have been good to have a glossary at the start of the different goddesses to refer back to.
I couldn’t put this book down as we got close to the ending and I need the next instalment ASAP please!
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

In a kingdom where touch is power, Emberline hides a dangerous secret: she's immune to the Blessed’s magic. When her uncle vanishes, she’s forced into his role as royal jeweller, suddenly essential to those she’s spent her life avoiding.
Assigned to guard her is Hart, a broad-shouldered Blessed whose irreverence is only rivalled by the feelings he stirs in her. Trusting him could mean freedom—or exposure. His touch could unravel everything.
There was a great cast of characters, and I especially fell in love with Emberline, our main female protagonist. She's fierce, loyal, brave and curious. Her complex relation with emotions resonates with all who've bottled up their feelings and emotions for far too long. At the beginning of the book, it's clear that Emberline and her uncle Alaric have a special relationship. Though they don't express their love with words of sorts, they bond through learning and the craft of making jewellery. Hart is a mysterious force throughout the whole book. Despite it feeling like his character was quite flat, Hart's devotion to protecting Emberline makes your heart melt. For whatever reason, however, is the question Emberline and the reader are asking themselves. As for the side characters, they were primary contributors to the plot and Emberline's character development. I would have loved to read more depth about them, but there was enough to make them interesting.
The story is unique, just like the magical system. With jewels linking them to power and emotion, it is something I have never read before. There are also gods and deeply thought-out stories about gods and kings. Very distinct from your average romantasy. Emberline is forced to embark on an epic adventure to unravel the mysterious disappearance of her uncle. Unfortunately, it didn't feel that adventurous. There were a few action-packed scenes, and the pacing was quite slow. The developing chemistry between Emberline and Hart was also lagging, but it was there. Their banter and dialogue were funny and heartwarming. My favourite part was the times Hart called Emberline 'Chaos'. That really makes you swoon.
Overall, Jeweler to the Blessed is a unique and magical fantasy. I only wish there was a bit more fire to it. Nevertheless, it has remarkable stories about gods and kings, magical elements, romance, and a bit of power dynamics and political intrigue.
Thank you to NetGalley and Jillian Witt for the opportunity to read an ARC of Jeweler to the Blessed in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jillian Witt for the opportunity to ARC read Jeweler to the Blessed.
This book introduces a really intriguing magic system where touch drains emotions for power, and Emberline’s immunity has her living in fear of being found out. The world-building is layered, with political tension simmering beneath the surface, which kept me invested throughout.
The tension between Emberline and Hart is a highlight—the slow burn romance is filled with banter, emotional depth, and just the right amount of open door spice. Plus, Hart calling Emberline 'Chaos'? I'm feral.
I’ll admit the pacing in the first half felt slow to me. But once the stakes got higher and the plot picked up, I was fully hooked.
Overall, this is a solid romantasy with strong world-building, compelling characters, and enough intrigue to keep readers turning pages. I am very excited for the next installment.

This one totally surprised me in a good way. I didn’t expect to get so hooked but wow, I flew through it. Emberline was such a cool main character. She was smart, brave, and had this quiet strength I really liked. I enjoyed how she always tried to stay strong even when things around her were a mess. Also, her connection with Hart was so good. That tension between them made the story even more addicting. He had that mysterious, broody energy and you never really knew what he was thinking, I'm very much like that. The magic system felt different from others I read before, and I really enjoyed that part. The Blessed were kind of scary but fascinating, and Emberline’s whole situation with them made things even more intense. There was also a lot of political stuff and secrets which made it hard to put down. I kept wanting to know what would happen next. Honestly, I need the next book now. Thank you so much to the author and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving a honest review

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy! I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Jeweller to the Blessed has a lot of potential and a really intriguing premise. I was immersed pretty quickly and found myself curious to see where the story was going—I did manage to predict a couple of twists. The magic system felt unique and original, which I appreciated, but I often found myself confused. I think the world-building could have been stronger or more clearly explained to help ground the story and characters.
Even with some confusion, the concept held my interest, and I’d be curious to see what the author does next.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Addictive, romantic, and utterly unputdownable — this romantasy had me hooked from the first page!
This book delivers everything I crave in a new adult fantasy: a fierce heroine with a dangerous secret, a brooding guard with unclear loyalties, a slow-burn romance packed with unbearable tension, and a magic system that feels fresh and compelling.
Emberline is the kind of protagonist you root for — clever, brave, and walking a razor’s edge between survival and discovery. Her immunity to the Blessed's magic makes her a threat to the kingdom, and when she’s thrust into the spotlight as the kingdom’s most important magical resource, the stakes skyrocket. The dynamic with Hart, her reluctant protector, is electric — the kind of forbidden, charged connection that fans of From Blood and Ash will devour.
But this story is more than just romantic tension. The political intrigue, layered world-building, and mystery surrounding her powers kept me turning pages late into the night. If you loved the eerie, original magic of One Dark Window, this will be right up your alley.
The chemistry? Immaculate. The plot? Smart and propulsive. The ending? I need the next book immediately.
Do not sleep on this one — it’s the perfect blend of fantasy, romance, danger, and desire. Ideal for fans of romantasy who want both heat and heart.