I love a good, unique magic system! The one in this book is brilliant, and there is just something about the way this is written that is so mesmerising.

The book was slightly slow to begin with but I was HOOKED.

Who doesn’t love a good bodyguard trope? Forbidden romance. Sign language rep. ENEMIES TO LOVERS. Found family. Action PACKED. All of the best tropes!

I was so excited to dive into this after reading the authors Broken Kingdom series!
I’m very much in my Viking/magic era. This had all my favourite tropes.
I’m a sucker for a slow burn and I like my spice but I need equal plot and spice, and this delivered!

Dark and broody vikings new fantasy unlocked. I loved this book. I’ve been a bit in a Romantasy slump of samey samey books and this has bought we out.

The magic is unique and complicated, the characters are flawed but likeable. Lyra is everything you want in a FMC she’s tough, will sacrifice for her family but is vulnerable at times.

Rourke is dark and moody but when he shows his caring side I melted.

And the disability rep amazing all I can see is read this book

Thank you NetGalley for the arc opinions my own.

Firstly thank you netgalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for a review.

L J ANDREWS is the queen of viking romantasy, I was obsessed with the ever seas duology and now I am, as obsessed with this series 😍

A mute mmc that uses his hands to communicate, her BODYGUARD, blood,soul and bone magic, found family AND a slow burn 👌

Book 1 in the stonegate series is the perfect start to an incredible series, lots of world building in the first 40% and the romance is just 😍

I absolutely will be begging for an arc of book 2 when it is available, LOVE

Thank you Netgalley and L.J Andrews
For the early access copy!

Broken Souls & Bones is a story of magic, war and falling in love with someone you're not supposed to.

With an interesting magic system, relatable cast of characters and a compelling soul-mate esque romance, L.J Andrews has written a romance fantasy book that is a balanced and fun read.

The romance between the leads is sweet, with Roark being non-verbal adding a refreshing and interesting element not only to the romance but to the world.

Lyra is a strong and determined woman who gets what she wants and stands up for herself in her own way, which makes reading from her POV a joy.

BSB does fall on some familiar romantasy tropes but stands out by having side characters that have their own lives, wants and desires that make you want to root for them along the way.

Tropes
* Chosen one
* Touch her and 💀
* Hidden past
* Dual POV
* Viking/Norn inspired
* Bodyguard / forced proximity
* Found family

I absolutely loved LJ Andrews and was SO glad to get this book a little early!

The magic in this world is so different and interesting the way the craft is with bone, blood or souls. I loved the way the story unraveled, with some intense world building to start and questions that need answers! When I did get those answers… 😱 I have even more questions - leaving me in dire need for book 2!
The twists were well executed & the romance sublime 👌🏻 Roark being unable to speak and using hand gestures somehow made everything all the more intense 😍
Lyra is a strong but sheltered character, after being in hiding for so long but I love the strength of her character and the strong connections she has forged with a beautiful found family vibe 🥰

I can not wait to see what’s in store for Lyra, Roark, Emi, Kael, Thane & Yrsa!

Thank you to NetGalley & LJ for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4 ⭐️
🌶️ 🌶️

Quotes
* I was once told we never truly knew another soul until we saw the darkness they kept inside.
* Three taps – his gesture for claiming something as his. It meant mine.
* You might go there next and find a husband of your own to join you.’ ‘Then I would be forced to share all the food.’
* True love. To accept another soul –  the good and the bad – and love them through it all.
* ‘You never truly know a heart until you see the darkness inside.
* ‘You brighten the dark, and I do not want it to stop.

4.75⭐️

👻 book 1/? ongoing romantasy series
🍑 open door spice
👻 dual POVs
🍑 ‘touch her and 💀’
👻 Viking inspired with magic
🍑 forced proximity
👻 protective bodyguard MMC
🍑 mute MMC & sign language representation

Firstly thank you so much to Michael Joseph for this eARC!

~My Thoughts~
This book has RUINED ME. Andrews never misses and this book is proof. I swear I really am a lover of Viking inspired fantasy and this book proves to be another great addition to the genre.

The first few chapters start off slow, easing you into the world and lore at a gentle pace. And then before you know it, you’re knee deep in an incredible world with amazing characters, fantastic relationships and a magic system that is so perfectly written that I wonder if it’s not actually real?!

Lyra is a fantastic FMC. She’s strong, loyal, so likeable and her growth as she learns who she is is just done so well. Roark is… quite honestly one of my favourite MMCs ever. He’s written so well and his backstory is so interesting with so much depth. Truly one of the best written MMCs.

I know next to nothing about mute individuals and sign language but I think the way this was showcased in this book was also done really well. The way the other characters took to Roark’s muteness (both positive and negative) was just really well laid out.

The romance wasn’t rushed and developed at such a great pace that I felt like I was falling in love with the characters as they fell for each other.

Overall, this was absolutely fantastic and so worth the wait (I have been waiting for this for a while 🥹). Just fantastic honestly. If you like Viking fantasy or any of the above tropes, you’re going to fall for this book.

WOW. LJ Andrews hit this one out of the park. I loved Roark and Lyra’s story. There was so much tension and amazing world building throughout this book. I am so excited for book 2. This book will live rent free in my head with that ending.

Thank you so much to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House, and Netgalley for the early eARC of this book.

Andrews has created a other fantastic world and I can't wait for more in the next book. While the ending was not a cliffhanger in the sense we've come to know, there were big surprises and I have no idea what to expect in the next book, but I trust it will be good!

It pains me to write this review. I absolutely adored the Ever Series and was delighted to receive an ARC of this via Netgalley, unfortunately it's a miss for me 😭 The premise of the storyline had me intrigued from the beginning and as we're introduced to our FMC/MMC. We get dual POVs from them which was great but after about 25% it started to fall apart. What started off as enemies to lovers became insta-love that morphed into forbidden romance for like 2 chapters but was then forgotten. We very nearly had a lovely found family but that too kind of fell away after a chapter or 2 of cute banter. The writing style was markedly different from everything else I've read by this author and was noticeable with the romantic scenes that lacked any type of angst or passion. I know LJ can't write her tits off so I'll hold out hope the series gets better.

I love LJ Andrews. Everything she writes is an instant favorite. I was a little weary of leaving the Broken Kingdom world, but I shouldn’t have been. This book was absolutely brilliant! It is a fantastic start to a new series and with a brand new Magic system, This book has twists, turns and romance galore!

The characters are with really did it for me. Lyra was just as amazing, cautious and hesitant, yet deeply loyal and protective of her family. Roark is very special to me. I love his character so much! He is non-verbal and uses his own sign language to communicate, which Lyra picks up very quickly. I also loved the side characters, they added so much depth to the story.

And that ending? If you love books that captivate you, and have tension, magic, secrets and romance then you need to read this! It has me desperately waiting for book two!

Thank you to Netgalley LJ Andrew, and Michael Joseph Penguin Random House for this eARC

*Tap, Tap, Tap*

Well, LJ has done it again! As someone who very openly says that The Ever King was my book of the year last year, I just knew I HAD to get my hands on reading this one ASAP, and wow, am I glad I did! I went in to this one with high hopes and expectations, and it gave me EVERYTHING I wanted!

The first 40-50% of this book is heavy world building, but it is so worth it! The magic system is so unique and really feels right with it being set in a Norse world.

LJ really knows how to write strong, independent women well, but also give them a believable softer side too. Even while captured and forced to use her magic against her will, Lyra managed to put on her mask and just do it. She was fierce and brave and honestly, not annoying like some fmcs can be 😅

The romance between the MCs felt natural and not forced, and the tension was perfect! Roark was complex, morally grey but with a small Labrador tucked inside of him and I loved him so much! Definitely book boyfriend material 😏 Due to something that happened in his past, he doesn’t speak with his words, but used sign language that Lyra quickly picks up. But you also find that he doesn’t need words to command a room, and his actions definitely speak louder. There was a wonderful slow burn between the characters and I looooved the yearning!

This book definitely left me feeling a desperate need for the second, and I cannot wait to continue on with this world!

Tropes:
•First Person, Dual POV
•Vikings
•Found Family
•Slow Burn
•Unique Magic System
•Body Guard/Forced Proximity
•Touch her and 💀

4 Stars – A Dark, Romantic ARC with a Slow Start but Strong Finish

I had the chance to read an ARC of Broken Souls and Bones by L.J. Andrews, and while it took me a bit to fully sink into the story, I’m really glad I stuck with it. The worldbuilding is dark, layered, and full of magic, and the romance brought just the right amount of angst and tension.

I’ll be honest—the first 3/4 of the book felt a bit long. It was heavy on setup and exposition, and I found myself waiting for that turning point. But once things started to click into place, the pace picked up and didn’t let go. The final quarter was intense, emotional, and full of high-stakes moments that completely pulled me in.

The characters are richly written, especially the leads. Their dynamic has that push-and-pull tension I love, with just enough vulnerability to make the emotional payoff worth it. L.J. Andrews knows how to write a tortured love story, and this one delivered in the end.

If you enjoy slow-burn romantasy with dark fairy tale vibes and a satisfying climax, this one is worth the journey. A solid 4 stars from me—and I’m curious to see where the series goes next!

I never doubt that I’m going to love a book by LJ Andrews! And once again, this book proved I was right to hold that opinion!

Despite being slightly nervous to leave the world of The Broken Kingdoms and Ever Seas, I shouldn’t have been!

This book was absolutely brilliant! A fantastic start to a new series.

The first thing I want to talk about is the magic system. It was so unique! It took me a minute to get my head around it, but as soon as I did I loved it. I will say it was one of the goriest magic systems I’ve encountered – but it was incredible.

As always, LJ has managed to build a world you can’t help but want to explore. One which you know isn’t quite what it seems and one you are desperate to dig into and uncover its secrets.

The plot was so interesting – twists, turns and romance galore. You were constantly questioning who to trust and I couldn’t put the book down – I NEEDED to know everything.

Once again, LJ has proven she knows how to write characters you can’t help but root for. The romance was scorching but the family/friendships had me seriously invested too.

I fully believed how the FMC AND MMC’s relationship developed. Their enemies to lovers dynamic was flawless. Watching their hearts thaw and open to each other was sublime.

I also thought it was a fantastic plot point that Roark had to communicate through signing. It was eye opening to see how the wider community in the story treated him and it was a great exploration of what it means to not have a voice in the usual fashion.

I can’t BELIEVE I’m going to have to wait for book two – that ending left me so feral for more. I can’t wait to lose myself further in this world.

This is another brilliant story from LJ. Everybody should read this. You won’t regret it.

This book is everything you could want from a fantasy romance. It has unique and detailed world building, with just enough information for you to understand, but not overwhelm you. The magic system is totally unique and so interesting, it is slowly revealed through the first few chapters as the characters themselves learn more about the magic and how it works, as some aspects have been kept very secretive.

The slow burn, damn, the enemies to lovers, PERFECT. The plot twists and reveals are just *chefs kiss*

Honestly at this point I would read LJ's grocery list and be enthralled because every word she writes is just beautiful.

If you loved A Fate Inked In Blood, and you want more viking inspired fantasy with scorching romance and fascinating magic, you want this book!!

Also if you loved the scene in Ever After where she launches apples at the prince, you'll love this meet cute!

I cannot believe that I read this book in under five hours, I could not put it down and who needs sleep anyway? Not me!
This entire magic system had me hooked, I would have loved for more of the lore to have been gone in to more detail, especially the different types of magic - bone, blood and soul but that's just me being finicky.
I loved that Roark, the MMC couldn't speak and that he used 'handspeak' I didn't find it difficult to follow and if anything it made him...just more. Lyra as a FMC is inspired! I loved that she had moments of vulnerability but at the end she stands up for what is right and for those she loves. The spice for me was perfect, I loved the banter between characters and cannot wait for the next installment in this Stonegate saga!

Broken souls and bones

3.5⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin random house for the opportunity to ARC read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book unfortunately fell a little flat for me which I am gutted about as I really wanted to love it. I struggled to get past the intense world building at the beginning which was very confusing. (I love heavy world building however this was not easy to follow.)
I almost DNFd at that point.
After pushing through, it became a bit more enjoyable however I felt that the execution did not meet my expectations.

This is a Norse mythology/Viking romantasy with a unique magic system(bone, blood and soul magic), found family and the MMC is mute so there is great sign language representation.

Lyra our FMC is a spitfire who fights fiercely for the people she loves. After hiding in a village for her melder magic which is hated by so many yet coveted by the King, she is found by Roark(MMC) and brought back to the prince. She becomes the Kings melder and plots to escape this fate. Roark is our morally grey MMC, brooding, commanding and a lot of what I love in an MMC.

The first 50% of this book was very slow however it did pick up in the second half.

Overall, I did enjoy this book. And I think if I read it for a second time, I might enjoy it more.

I love listening writing and have been reading from the start. This is the first fantastic book of hers I've read outside of the broken kingdoms series (including the spin off, the ever king).

And as ways, she has wrote an addictive immersion, and rich world, i just wish I could live in.

The characters are loveable and strong, protective and soft when needed. I love how she is so inclusive in her writing and this is no different. I love that theresba wide range of makn and side characters and each are unique and different with their own personality, motives, and challenges - i love they are all varying and add to the stroy in their way. It helps the world and story to have more more depth and feel more realistic and immersive. You really get to know them all ans become friends and love them through the pages.

The world booking is second to none. I can never praise her enough for how she seemlessly and (seemingly) effortlessly created such huge interlinking places, countries, maps, worlds, people and places. And it amazing me how effortless she involves us, the reader, in this. Like we learn as we go, and it never feels a chore. Its like the world's she weaving envelope us, and welcome us in, easily, word by word.

I don't want to spoil the story for anyone, as release I'd a bjt away yet... but I feel this is my new favourite LJ book, and I'm sure anyone who knows me, will know it was hard to top for me! Even TEK didn't know night of mask from my top spot. Buuuttt, here we are... new fave.

I can't wait for people to start reading this and talking about it. Eeek!

Summary

Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5/5

Spicy rating: 🌶️🌶️ 2.5/5

LJ Andrews absolutely slaps when it comes to romantasy and this is no exception! I am so buzzing I got to read her read pub debut early and the Nordic/ Viking inspired world was so addictive to read about!

One of the things I love most about LJs writing is she always has well established and interesting supporting characters. Thane for example, loved him from is very first line! The way the character relationships develop throughout this book was so gorgeous to read I adored the found sibling, sweet relationship between Lyra and Kael as much as the development of the romance between Lyra and Roark which I think speaks volumes as to how well the dynamics are written.
There’s a beautiful budding female friendship between Lyra and Emi and they are absolute banter besties and that was also so fun to read.

Roark was a beautiful morally grey MMC (our fave) and I love how even though he’s non verbal and uses sign language she’s still able to craft gorgeous intimate moments with no words. I was LIVING for the yearning and small touches! This book was the absolute embodiment of all the best parts of the romantasy genre!

My only real critiques would be I would’ve liked a little more history of Lyra and Roark before they crash in to eachother although given the developments at the end of the book I can see why this was the direction she took. And whilst the magic system was intriguing, I found it slightly confusing at times.

This story was engaging, fast paced and chaotic in the best way. Like come on that last 20% was freaking WILD! There’s a great set up for the remainder of the story as well as a good mix of humour that definitely ups the enjoyment and entertainment value. The magic system was intriguing and the world building was great in setting up the story.

I highly recommend this one!

This was my first book by LJ Andrews (even though The Ever Seas has been sitting on my shelf for a year), and I absolutely loved it! The world-building was rich and immersive, with a magic system that was both unique and fascinating—I'm still wrapping my head around all the details, but it completely pulled me in. The plot was full of twists and turns that left me stunned, and the MMC was one of the most intriguing characters I’ve read in a while. His inability to communicate in the usual way made him even more compelling.

The FMC was just as captivating—cautious and hesitant, yet deeply loyal and protective of her family. I also adored the side characters, who added so much depth to the story. And that ending? It has me desperately waiting for book two! The slow burn was so slow, but so worth it! This world was an absolute joy to dive into, and I highly recommend pre-ordering it before its release on April 29th!