Never The Roses presents a fascinating premise, and I was eager to dive into it, expecting a truly immersive experience. The cover is absolutely stunning, setting the stage for what I hoped would be a captivating read.

While there were aspects of the story that intrigued me, I found the pacing to be quite slow, which made it difficult to stay fully engaged. The prose is richly detailed, creating a vivid atmosphere, but at times, the level of description felt overwhelming and pulled me out of the narrative rather than drawing me in.

Despite these challenges, I appreciate the depth of the author's vision and the care taken in crafting the world within the novel. While it wasn’t entirely the experience I hoped for, I can see how readers who enjoy a highly descriptive, atmospheric style might find it appealing.

Thank you for this e-arc.

NEVER THE ROSES 💜✨ 4.5⭐️

I.AM.OBSESSED.

Reading this 20% in I wasn’t expecting to be feeling the way I feel now as I’ve finished it. My thoughts are just opposite ends of the spectrum. The writing is so magical and dreamy ( a tad over descriptive for me at times). It’s not a fast paced romantasy with loads of action, twists and turns but I love it? It’s so refreshing to read a romantasy where you’re so embedded in to the love story.

Oneira FMC - powerful sorceress, retired from the Gilded Courts of men, secluded herself from the world and vowed to never use her magic again after the war, especially after a traumatic disaster. We have-
-Chartomancer - channel magic through runes of all kinds
-Oneiromancer - giving voice to thoughts giving a tangible reality (Oneira- FMC)
-Apantomancer - work magic through chance encounters with animals

“Some prince might happen along, somehow evade her wards and traps - through the purity of his heart or some such; it was only a dream of a tale, after all - and attempt to awaken her with a kiss”

Oneira is powerful enough to travel physically through the dream. She could create food, objects and walk through the dream but the food isn’t nutritional enough so she has created a garden.

Oneira has dream walked to another sorcerer’s library, the library of stormbreaker aka his majesty’s sorcerer, Eminence Stearanos MMC - oh and did I mention stolen a book from his collection? Yes, well this particular book she wanted about roses for her garden. Stearanos, my sweet letter writing MMC, he grew on my so much throughout the book and I felt so connected to his character.

When Oneira dream walks again back to Stearanos’ library, she taunts him, almost like a secret battle of power. She casts a sleeping spell and arranges books in different orders just to infuriate Stormbreaker. I’m really intrigued and invested into the story now, I think it was just a slow start.

I would go into reading this book not expecting the twists and turns of a gut wrenching, action packed novel because it’s not. It’s a love story that’s very captivating and an emotional romantasy read.

“The Key turned.
The lock gave.
And something in the world shifted.
Like and unlike, his magic lashed the inside of her skin”

“I will. I’ll wait forever for you, if need be. I am a patient man, something about me you’ll find most rewarding.”

The romance, my heart is aching and yearning. Completely in love with this book! PLEASE TELL ME THERES BOOK TWO! I need to know what happens.

✨ POLITICAL INTRIGUE
💜 UNIQUE MAGIC
✨ ENEMIES TO LOVERS
💜 SLOW BURN
✨ HE FALLS FIRST

Thank you so much Tor Bramble & Jennifer K. Lambert for the E-ARC via NetGalley.

I really struggled with this one. It’s a quiet internal inspection of one’s self, and what happens if we don’t like what we see, when we truly see ourselves in the light. It has potential to be a beautiful piece, but for me it was a struggle to settle with.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC!

I don't request books on NetGalley that often so I'm always super happy to get an arc!

The book cover is absolutely beautiful and I thought the book sounded so good, I wouldn't have requested it otherwise, but unfortunately this book didn't work for me.

I don't have any problems with slow books but this one dragged for me too much and was way too descriptive in my opinion.

I might try the audiobook in the future and see if that will change my opinion on this book. It could just be that this would have worked better for me, my brain and taste better in audio.

I hate leaving a low rating and review (especially on an arc!) but I have to be honest.

Thank you again to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the opportunity to read this book!

What a lovely story about love & redemption from the perspective of a “villainous” sorceress looking to repent for a life of forced bloodshed. Through some wonderfully sharp banter and a few pranks between her and an equally matched sorcerer she had been pitted against for the length of her career, she learns to hope for a brighter future for herself.

The way this story unfolds is unusual - it has a fairly languid pace, and for a lot of the story it felt fairly low-stakes. However, the MCs are fascinating and funny, and our MMC is surly and oh-so-swoony. I loved that they both felt like grown nerds who were carrying the weight of decisions they were forced to make on their shoulders. I would have liked to understand the magic system better - it seemed interesting and complex, and I am left wondering if this is intended to be a series rather than a standalone because there were elements that felt unfinished (Bunny and co. for instance).

That said, I enjoyed the story very much, and am glad to have read Never the Roses. Thank you to Bramble, Lambert & NetGalley for the opportunity to read & honestly review it prior to its release.

OK I loved the ending of this but it was a very slow start and then the Tristan part felt unrealistically sped up but the slow burn with Em was good

ARC and ALC review
Publication date 08 Jul 25

“Never the Roses” by Jennifer K. Lambert is a romantic fantasy.

Thank you Pan Macmillan and Macmillan Audio for the ARC and ALC (via Netgalley).
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

The cover and description of the book convinced me to read it.
Oneira is a retired sorceress that is tired of fighting in the war.
But she gets bored and decided to make trip to the library of her most powerful rival, sorcerer Stearanos.

The story's pace is slow, but it did not bother me. There is a rivals to lovers romance that starts through notes.
I liked both characters and their story. Especially Oneira, had a good development.
Her magic was also interesting and the overall plot. This is a well written book.

It was a good experience reading the e-book while listening to the audio.
When possible, this is my preferred way of enjoying a book.
It is a nice feeling and helps me immerse in the story, especially if it is a fantasy.

The audiobook is narrated in dual style by Chloe Campbell and Shane East.
I did not listen to any other books narrated by Chloe Campbell, but I think that she was perfect as Oneira.
She managed to keep me captivated in the story and brought the characters to life.
I think Shane East's voice was great as Stearanos and I am glad that he narrates more fantasy books.

Overall this was a nice, emotional and magic book.

When I started this I wasn’t really sure about it. Thrown into a world that made little sense, but I’m glad I continued. This story is hauntingly beautiful, a mix of tragedy and whimsy woven into something new and unique. The prose is poetic and the imagery captures the world of dreams perfectly. It turned out to be a great read.

A different type of read from other romantasy out there. It is very descriptive at the start but once the story gets going you are hooked in and are routing for the main characters. The shock twist at the end was a nice touch.
3.5 stars

Not my usual fair but I was attracted by the title and cover. I’m so glad I was. A wonderful fantasy romance that is engaging plot wise and swoon worthy in regards to romance. It was magical, romantic and I’m so looking forward to more.

I absolutely loved Never the Roses. It’s one of those books that wraps around you with its atmosphere and doesn’t let go. The writing is so lyrical and dreamy, and the whole story feels like a gothic fairytale. Oneira is such a fascinating character—powerful, a little broken, but still so full of heart. Her connection with Stearanos was one of my favorite parts: slow, intense, and so full of longing.

The world-building was rich without ever feeling too heavy, and I loved the blend of magic and romance. It’s haunting and beautiful in the best way, with moments that genuinely gave me chills.

If you like slow-burn fantasy romance with emotional depth and a gothic vibe, this one’s for you.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*