Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!
I had to get into the world at first. But after that, I really enjoyed the story. It was magically dark but also romantic. I am looking forward to book two!

With a slow-burn romance to die for, this high-stakes romantasy will leave you breathless and begging for more.
I was once again blown away by Julie Soto's writing - she fully immerses you into her stories and makes you feel all the feelings alongside her incredible characters.

We love a strong FMC, and with the added female friendships - I was sold on this empowering cast.

The slow-burn was s l o w, but done incredibly well.

Whilst I do still see some similarities to the fanfiction, it has been adapted enough that unless you're in the know, you won't be affected much.

I can't wait for the rest of the trilogy, and whilst I am impatiently biding my time, a reread is definitely in order!

A fantastic fantasy romance story with a lush fantasy setting and a heart stopping romance. I am a huge fan of the original fa fiction this was based on and was eager to see how Julie would adapt the story and I can wholeheartedly say it’s just as incredible as the fanfiction. Prepared to be obsessed with Toven and Brinoey. I can’t not wait to continue on with this series.

Thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

This book was a wild ride! This is my first Julie Soto book and I don't think it'll be my last. This book was intense, lush, and from the 40% mark onwards had me hooked. The last 100 pages? Could not put this down! It was very easy to read and very easy to binge. I found the worldbuilding to be solid, the characters well written, and the magic system wasn't overly complicated.

This book was very atmospheric and there were so many little moments I loved. The ending was good and perfectly set up the next book, which I can't wait for!

I do wish that the pacing was a little better. I found the book hard to get into at the beginning, however once we hit the 40% mark I was fine. I also found that the changes to flashbacks took away from the main story a little as it would happen after "big" moments in the main story. I did enjoy the flashbacks! I just wish they'd been integrated a bit more smoothly in to the story.

I really enjoyed this book and I'm eagerly anticipating book two!

.Enemies to lovers
.Forced proximity
.Mutual pining
.It's always been you
.Slowburn
.Morally grey MMC
.Virgin FMC
.Single POV
.Dual timeline

These are the rumbles of a sleep deprived woman, so bear with me. I have so many conflicting emotions after reading this book, and I've been thinking a lot about how to review it.

So, dear reader of this review, if you didn’t know: this book is a rewritten version of a very popular Dramione fanfic (Draco/Hermione from the Harry Potter series). As a huge Dramione fan, I’ve read and loved the original. I’ll try to stay neutral and not go too much on comparisons, but let’s be honest, that’s easier said than done.

Preface over. I have to admit that this book had a bit of a rocky start. The world building and magical system were a bit silly, and the whole heart-versus-mind conflict felt convoluted. So, the fantasy part of this romantasy? Not great.

The romance, on the other hand, was chef's kiss. The tension between Briony and Toven gives me life. They are clearly two idiots in love and too afraid to say it out loud. Supposed rivals, yet constantly saving each other’s asses. I need more of them.

There are a LOT of side characters; so many that at times it’s hard to remember who’s who. I blame this on the fact that it was originally a fanfic, where readers are already familiar with all the characters. But in this version, when they’re all introduced within the first few chapters, it becomes a bit of a mess to keep track of.

That said, I really enjoyed the story once it found its rhythm. It took a while, around 40-50%, but when it finally hooked me, I was all in. The pacing is slow, but it moves, and I’m invested.

Now, for those wondering how this compares to the fanfic… it doesn’t. And before anyone comes for me, I get that changes were necessary for publication. But some of them just don’t work.

First, the shift to a historical setting feels underdeveloped. Second, the magical system is messy and could have used clearer rules. And third (and biggest frustration), Briony is not as badass as Hermione. She’s older, yet somehow more naive? I wanted to shake her and tell her to wake up. Toven, on the other hand, is perfection. So is his mother.

There are new scenes that I absolutely loved, and the flashbacks to their school days really solidify their love/hate dynamic. Toven is hiding so many secrets, and he’s the classic brooding giant who locks everything away. But when those secrets come out? Oh, it’s going to be good.

One last thing, I promise. I was hoping they’d change that one plotline from the fanfic. You know, the virginity ritual. But nope. It’s still here. And it still makes me cringe. Hard.

So, romantasy readers, what can you expect? A tension-filled romance, a rivalry between two tangled magical systems, a huge cast of characters, and an undeniable urge to keep reading. If you’re here for the fantasy? Lower your expectations. If you’re here for the romance? Go for it.

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.

I can't wait for book two!!!

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

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK/Magpie for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 ⭐️

Arc review

Wow! I just inhaled this book, the first I’ve read by the author. I’ve heard it’s based on “the Auction” but I went into it blind without reading that - and I don’t regret it.

I loved the unique magical system, and the world building was just right. Quite a few names to get a handle on but once that’s sorted the world just grew.

Briony is an interesting FMC, a princess forced into the shadow of the twin brother she adores. Sheltered yet with a hidden strength and power of her own.

It was a delicious slow burn, Toven is a MC who’s despicably cold and aloof and the tension was sizzling.

I simply can’t wait for book 2 and have already rushed to pre-order my copy of this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the arc copy.

I'm not surprised I enjoyed this book! As a Dramione fan growing up it definitely ticked all the boxes for me. However, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I will say, I'm not usually a 'dark romance' reader, as it tends to make me feel a bit uncomfortable in places. However, while this was dark and disturbing, the author also did a great job of not making me root for anyone despicable - which I feel some dark romances try to do. Toven - like Draco in almost all Dramione fanfics - was more asshole than evil, and I appreciated that it was clear from the start where his loyalties lay. Briony, as well, was an interesting character to view the story from.

The only downside I had, which I find in most fanfic turned to publications I read, is that I sometimes find I want more character development. We know these characters because we know Draco and Hermione, however, I felt that if they were fresh on a page, I wouldn't quite grasp their backstories and personalities as much as I could because it was a fanfiction previously.

Despite this, as I said, I really enjoyed it. It's a super romantasy, with enemies-to-lovers/romance/plot, and I will most certainly buy the next book. Kinda mad I got an arc because now I have to wait even longer!

4 stars! xx

Where to start? At first when I started reading this book I thought 'I'm not sure about this' as it seemed quite dark which I am not normally a fan of. However, as I kept reading, I kept wanting more and more and towards the end of the book, I was hooked! I really enjoyed this book and how it constantly keeps you in anticipation of what will happen next. i would definitely recommend this book to any romantasy and enemies to lovers fans and I look forward to the next book in the series.

Thank you to net galley, the publisher, and Julie Soto for allowing me to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Julie Soto’s Rose in Chains is an absolute page-turner! It’s a thrilling and romantic story with intense drama, a slow-burning romance, and a magical world that’ll keep you spellbound. Another fantastic book by Julie Soto! I couldn’t put it down.

I absolutely LOVED this. I have read and loved The Auction (that this is based on) and I am a Julie fan so I had high hopes for this and it did not disappoint! Dark and troubling in a way that is addictive and hard to walk away from this had everything I love about the fanfic space but combined with stunning worldbuilding (the familiars!) and some vey welcome twists and additions. Highly excellent!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early.

I had mixed feelings about this one. While there were elements I appreciated—some of the character dynamics, for instance—it ultimately didn’t fully land for me. The pacing felt sluggish, and the world-building wasn’t rich or immersive enough to pull me in completely.

One thing that always makes me hesitant about novels adapted from Dramione fanfic is the tendency toward darker themes, and unfortunately, this one leaned into that a bit too much for my taste. There was a constant sense of looming danger, that made the reading experience more stressful than enjoyable.

As for the romance, it was a very slow burn—so slow that it barely felt like a burn at all. Waiting until book two for any real payoff felt like a letdown after so much buildup. I can appreciate a slow burn, but there has to be some emotional or romantic development along the way to keep me invested, and I didn’t quite get that here.

Overall, this just might not be my thing. I can see how others might enjoy the tension and character work.

Chefs bloody kiss
The slow burn
The tension
Seeing misogynists get their comeuppance
Delicious.
And apparently it’s Dramione FanFic. Obsessed.

Crying that I now have to wait EVEN LONGER than most for the sequel 😭

ARC from NetGalley thank youuuu Harper Collins

Writing the review for a Rose In Chains has been incredibly challenging. I have loved Julie Soto’s work since discovering her fanfiction writing and loyally following her breakout into traditional publishing. I highly recommend her romance books without hesitation. Her debut romantasy, Rose in Chains, didn’t grab me. Maybe if I had read this fresh, I would have found the magic within, but The Auction has a long shadow. I want to say upfront that before I launch into my review of Rose in Chains, I have not tagged Julie Soto or Harper Voyager in this post – never tag an author in a review that is not absolutely glowing.

Rose in Chains will delight anyone who loves a compelling, slow-burn, dark romance with enemies-to-lovers, blood feuds, and emotionally riveting angst and tension. Julie Soto has brought together the perfect ingredients for a romantasy with her riveting writing style that creates a potent world of war, politics, and powerful magic. She has developed a complex host of characters with rich layers, fierce fighters with hidden motivates, and some very undesirable, straight-up evil without a saving grace and easy to hate. The chemistry between Torven and Briony is an infuriating enemies-to-lovers dynamic with a palpable tension that blows hot and cold but with an unexpected sweetness that blooms into tender affection and care.

I’m grateful for the chance to receive a Netgalley eARC of Rose in Chains. I’m absolutely gutted at heart that I didn’t absolutely love this book. This is an incredibly dark story. Please do check the trigger warnings before reading, as there are some extremely uncomfortable explicit scenes and awful things being forced onto women that are not for the faint of heart. Even my stomach twisted in some of the descriptions, which are gory and bordered on fantasy horror realms.

Hands down my new favorite fantasy book of all time. Julie Soto can do no wrong in my eyes and this book proves that she can write any genre. This book follows Briony, who was an Evermore princess. Her whole family and kind are either killed or taken under control by the dark forces. She goes to auction at a very high price to someone who would use her. Except she wakes up and instead is under Tovens rule. Token is a high ranking bombardsun but also her rival from school. This book kept me on the edge of my seat and I could not put it down. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

Julie Soto was BORN to write romantasy!

I don't think I've hyper fixated on a book quite this much in a long while. I absolutely adored every single second of this journey and I am only mad at myself for not discovering the original fanfic iteration sooner.

Despite the original fanfiction coming from a well known universe, Julie did an excellent job of building on her original work to create something wholly new. The magic system was really interesting and the way she described it was so vivid and easy to wrap my head around.

Although there are a number of dark themes to this story, it still felt very much like a story of hope rather than of defeat. I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens next...

Thank you to NetGalley and RedForever for providing a copy of this amazing ARC!

I want to start by saying that I've read The Auction before and actually discovered my love for Julie Soto’s writing through the Rights & Wrongs series. I still reference the series as my peak for pining/slow burn and I’ve read a lot of books since I’ve discovered it. Because of that, I admit I’m a little biased toward this book, due to insane my excitement in seeing The Auction get a published rewrite.

I made an effort to approach the story with fresh eyes to experience it as a new fantasy novel, and it still absolutely hooked me. Julie Soto did a great job in rewriting portions of the story and making this one its own tale. She was able to craft a world with interesting political tension between two opposing sides, and I’m excited to see where she takes it.

The romance, as expected, was the highlight of the story for me. Soto truly nailed the tension between the two characters, keeping it high throughout the entire book without giving too much away. The flashbacks added depth to their connection that was just chefs kiss.

I also really liked that even though the villain was absolutely horrible, she was surprisingly layered - would love to see how she evolves in the next book. I think her character was a good example of Soto’s success in separating the two works while maintaining the same integrity. She showed brief moments of intelligence and righteousness, while still remaining a terrifying antagonist in a “I’m scared of what you’re capable of because you’re insane and horrific” kind of way.

One minor critique is that I wish the fantasy and world-building were a bit more fleshed out. At times, it felt a bit sparse or unfocused compared to the rest of the story, though expected in the first book when it’s laying the groundwork for character relationships and past lore.

Because I’m so familiar with the original fanfic, I didn’t think the twists and cliffhangers would have much of an effect on me - but I’m already crying in wait for the next book!

Overall, I really enjoyed it and can’t wait for the rest of the series.

Rose in Chains by Julie Soto
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4/5🌟
Release date: 8th Jul 2025

Just finished Rose in Chains by Julie Soto, and WOW I was not ready for how much this book would consume me! 🤭 I went in blind (haven’t read The Auction), and it completely swept me away. The magic? Fascinating. And the slow burn romance? Absolutely addictive.

It took me a sec to get all the characters straight, but once I did, I could not put this book down. Briony and Toven’s chemistry is insane, the tension, the way he protects her? 🔥 I was living for it. And those darker moments? Made everything even more intense. That ending?? I need book two asap!

Huge thanks for the arc, this was unforgettable!

Rose in Chains is a reimagining of the popular Dramione fanfiction The Auction, adapted for traditional publishing with an entirely original world and magic system. This book contains dark and heavy themes so make sure to check the TRIGGER WARNINGS as well as containing TRUE enemies to lovers.

As someone familiar with The Auction, I was thrilled to see how well this novel followed the original plot while expanding upon it with a richly developed setting, additional introductions, and necessary flashbacks to flesh out the complex world.

One of the book’s biggest strengths is its unique magic system and world-building. The author does an incredible job of crafting a world that feels fresh and immersive, whilst also been familiar, making the transition from fanfiction to original work smooth. The added context helps ground the reader in this new setting, making the stakes feel higher.

A major aspect that carried over from the original fanfic is the novel’s dark and heavy themes. This story does not shy away from these, and it may well be the darkest book I’ve ever read from HarperCollins.

That being said, I did have a few issues. The book ends at a point that doesn’t feel like a natural conclusion, likely due to the story being split into a trilogy. While I understand the reasoning behind this, it left me feeling like I had stopped in the middle rather than at a satisfying checkpoint. Additionally, the sheer number of names introduced throughout the book became overwhelming at times, making it difficult to keep track of who was who in this intricate world.

I absolutely LOVED this. I have read and loved The Auction (that this is based on) and I am a Julie fan so I had high hopes for this and it did not disappoint! Dark and troubling in a way that is addictive and hard to walk away from this had everything I love about the fanfic space but combined with stunning worldbuilding (the familiars!) and some vey welcome twists and additions. Highly excellent!