I literally slammed my kindle shut and gasped when I finished!

The world building was so wonderfully done. I felt immersed in the world of craft magic and all of the court politics. I was quick to fall in love with not only the main characters but the side characters as well. LJ Andrews is the queen of Morally Grey, Obsessive MMCs and BA, Strong-willed FMCs. Y’all are going to go feral for Roark and Lyra! I felt my heart swoon every time Roark gave us a little smirk.

I’m desperate for the next book and need to know what will happen!

Absolutely loved every aspect of this book. The magic, the angst, the betrayals. Love love love!

Lyra is probably one of my favorite FMC’s that has been created by LJ Andrew’s and how she developed Roark makes my heart so happy!

Cannot wait to see where this goes.

LJ Andrews has done it again. I could not put this book down once I started.

Her ability to build characters and build a world that you feel fully immersed in are phenomenal.

You get:

Morally grey
Slowish burn
Enemies to lovers
Touch her and 💀
Possession
Fantastic banter
Unique magic system
and so much more

I absolutely can not wait for more of this series.

Is this my favorite book by LJ? No.
HOWEVER…did LJ do it again and create incredibly unique magic & a set of characters I loved? Yes!

Once again LJ has written an incredibly unique magic system—one I hope to dive even deeper into as this story progresses.

Having a MMC who is only able to speak through sign was really powerful and different. It made everything that much more intimate and I was invested in every word he ‘said’.

The characters in this story were 10/10. Loved to love some of them and loved to hate others. It’s always such a great balance in every LJ book. I laughed, I cried, and I enjoyed the journey this story took me on. Even readers who aren’t big ‘fantasy’ fans, I think, could enjoy this.

My only critique was I usually do not enjoy ‘set up’ books (everything building for the sake of a 2nd book) and this whole story felt like a stepping stone for book #2 rather than being a solid book on its own. I still definitely enjoyed it & would absolutely recommend but I wasn’t ’locked in’ until we were already 75% of the way through. Please don’t get me wrong though, I’ll be first in line for the next part of the story 🖤

[for reference, I rated this a 4.5⭐️ on StoryGraph but Goodreads & NetGalley doesn’t do 1/2⭐️ values]

Wow, what an unexpected surprise! A
true enemies to lovers, with yearning and secrets. I could not put it down! The magic system in this is unique and refreshing, The plot was go go go and all the twists kept me on the edge of my seat! The Norse inspired story would be great for fans of A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L Jensen.

Wow, what an adventure! Absolutely devoured this new dark fantasy romance. Vikings, Enemies to Lovers, Morally Grey MMC, Fierce FMC, found family, perfect spice, touch her and you know, epic world building, in depth plot and foreshadowing, new bone magic, secrets and plots twist, and the list goes on!

LJ Andrew’s is always a must read and this beautiful addition to her books should be at the top of your TBR. LJ’s writing gives you incredible world building, well developed characters and adventure with all the romance and spice in perfect balance. The way she unfolds the story with careful writing, foreshadowing and plots keeps you flipping page after page. Just as I started putting pieces together, she flipped the script.

I CANNOT wait for the continuation of this series and see where this story leads Lyra, Roarke and the whole team. The stakes are high for these characters, and I can’t wait see where the story leads them next! Will they save the realm or watch it burn?

10 ⭐️ "Probably best. I never favored the hero in sagas." Um is this play about me??

I am not sure why the universe and Berkely blessed me enough to get this ARC but here I am, so thankful and appreciative!

Ok first of all, I need to talk a little bit about how much I love LJ Andrews work. LJ has a way of writing the same tropes over and over again, but always making them feel completely different. She immerses you in her worlds and makes you yearn for more every, single time. Broken Souls and Bones is not an exception to that, and I read this book in a 24 hours period. I need book number two right now. LJ also writes books so fast so I am praying maybe for a 2025 release for book 2? Please!?!

Broken Souls and Bones introduces you to the world of Roark and Lyra. The books beginning is a little slow to start. You know how some books are like jumping into the deep end immediately, and some are more like slowly wading into the pool. Well Broken Souls and Bones has you wade in but then lures you so fast into the deep end you might drown from excitement. By 33% into this book I could not put it down even if I wanted to.

The magic system in this book feels similar to LJs other works but also different enough that the story feels original.

LJ does a great job of writing multilayered character. She can you make you love/hate a character, especially when you are getting to know them. Lyra is a fantastic and relatable FMC. She is so bold and rightfully angry in the beginning. Watching her grow throughout the story is so enjoyable. Ro (are we all nicknaming Roark Ro or just me?) is just my type of MMC. Handsome, broody, misunderstood. The friends and family of theirs that you meet along the way are just perfect. LJ writes the best friendship and love chemistry between characters. I think Emi is my favorite. I love a blunt and direct girlie.

The end of this book had me REELING. This story drops all of these hints and details throughout to make you hypothesize what the end will be like, and somehow I guessed everything correctly but also wrong at the same time? Anyways, I will be screaming, crying, and throwing up until I get the next book.



"I have no love for melders and that will never change." Oh Ro Ro baby, ya sure about that?

A dark romantasy with sizzling tension, Vikings, twists and turns, and great banter! I couldn’t put this book down and read it whenever I got the time to! LJ Andrews does a fantastic job building this world and I was enthralled by the magic system!

This book had me hooked from the beginning, and there’s a reason I’ve read everything LJ Andrews has written, her writing style is my favorite. I loved Lyra and Roark! This book felt complex, so many twists and turns and still so many questions to be answered. I loved that this started as enemies ish to lovers, Roark is definitely swoon worthy. The magic system is very unique and I can’t wait to learn even more about the bone melders etc in the next book! If you love the bodyguard trope, slow burn, Viking vibes, and an immersive romantasy then you will love this book!
Thank you so much LJ Andrews and Penguin Random House for the ARC!

"To Those Who Won't Admit They Wish The Love Interest Was The Villian Every Time. I See You."

LJ Andrew's Fan Review: If you have read her previous books or series or really any Viking/Norse books you will like this book. It has a unique magic system and mythology. The couple in the book has chemistry right away. I was beyond thrilled to get this book! I think that's where a lot of the hype for the book is coming because the author has a huge fan base.

ARC Reader Review: This book had way more Viking/Norse lore than her previous books and made the story difficult at times for anyone who may not be familiar with the terms or culture. While the couple had great chemistry it was way drawn out until about the 60% mark. On a positive note, the book as a whole was completely hook-you-in entertaining and the ending was jaw-dropping unexpected.

Another easy five-star read by LJ Andrews! The world-building was clear, easy to follow, and perfectly aligned with the story’s pacing. It didn’t feel like a flood of background information but was seamlessly integrated into the plot and dialogue. The magic system was both unique and well-explained.

I loved Lyra and Roark, both as individuals and as a couple. LJ Andrews also excels at crafting compelling side characters—I found myself deeply invested in each of them and genuinely enjoyed their interactions with Lyra and Roark.

Overall, LJ Andrews has delivered yet another fantastic romantasy. I’ve fallen in love with Lyra and Roark and can’t wait to see what happens next!

Broken Souls and Bones is a captivating and enchanting Viking tale that transported me to a world of mythical creatures and ancient legends. The story enveloped me, immersing me in the Viking culture and lifestyle. It was as if I were watching a movie with surround sound, experiencing the story from every angle.

I gradually devoured the captivating tale of a young woman named Lyra, who led a simple life, concealing her true potential from those who sought to exploit her unique ability to use her bone melder. Against her will, Lyra was abducted by Roark and taken back to King Damir, where her fate took a dramatic turn.

Amidst the unfolding drama, the story intertwined moments of humor and unexpected twists in the relationship between Lyra and Roark. I couldn’t help but empathize with Lyra’s fear of wielding her bone melder, her lack of knowledge about its true capabilities, and her uncertainty about her potential. Regrettably, the King’s actions left her with little control over her destiny.

As the story unfolded, it became apparent that there was more to the narrative than what initially presented itself, suggesting a complex web of intrigue, treachery, and concealed truths surrounding Lyra and Roark.

What an extraordinary story that held my attention until the very end and left me yearning for more.
Thank you LJ Andrews and Berkley | Penguin Random House for this opportunity for reading this book.

LJ does it again. Creating such a unique story, with an unrepeatable magic system consisting of soul craft, blood craft, and bone craft magic. I was completely immersed. This book is giving norse mythology, and while I wouldn't consider this an enemies to lovers I still fell in love with Lyra and Roark's story.

The beginning chapters contain a lot of world building, and information on each craft so pay close attention, because that can definitely cause some confusion. I did have to read some of those chapters twice, to fully grasp the magic system.

Roark is the kings top warrior and protector of the prince. While he is non-verbal, and everyone fears him. I really saw him less to be morally grey, and more of a gentle giant especially when it came to his loved ones.

Lyra is a strong female character who was taken as a child, and hidden for her craft. A craft that can help kingdoms rise, and grow in ranks, by replacing the bones of the dead souls into the living. Every time she uses her craft she seems to be grasping in the middle of the living and dead, and ends up forming a bond with a deadly soul.

Now the slow tension between the FMC, and MC was throughly laid out, and patient. I enjoy a love that isn't rushed, so their inner thoughts and simmering glances had me smiling often, as well as the connected dreams that told their stories about a past neither remembers. A past both crossed before together. Overall rating is a 4/5. I enjoyed each character and felt like it set them up perfectly for the next books. The last couple of chapters reeled some secrets that left me shocked in the best way possible. I truly did not see the revelation of certain identities. Excited to see where book two will take us, after the cliffhanger.

Forever loving all the books that LJ Andrews writes 💖💖
The way she builds the worlds and the characters makes me feel like I’m living in that fantasy. And this book is no exception!! I absolutely feel in love with it and I highly recommend it to all my fantasy lovers!!

Thank you LJ, Netgalley, and Berkley Publishing for allowing me to receive an ARC of this book.

I am fully convinced that LJ laces crack into the words and stories she writes. I am not kidding you when I say that I am fully engrossed with her books from beginning to end, and it was no different with Broken Souls and Bones. The world building and magic of this story was unique and super intriguing. The whole book had me guessing and decoding secrets about what would happen next, and of course in fine LJ style: we are left with a cliffhanger that has me pacing for the next book. However, I did call that ending hehe and I am not mad about it. I just need MORE already.

I think I instantly fell for each character as I met them. Roark was already intriguing due to the fact he lost his voice, so I just obsessed over him more and more each chapter. Roark is the first MMC I have read about that could not talk, and I really loved how LJ wrote his character. He may not have a voice, but that man still knows how to get his point across, and with such a deadly edge. And don't we just love that? Lyra was loyal, cunning, and brave. Her journey throughout this book was chaotic and fun to watch. Lyra and Roark had me full on cackling at time with their banter, and I loved every minute of them trying to fight the connection they so clearly had. I truly could not get enough of them, especially Roark's possessiveness of Lyra. I just love when the man is basically feral. I also adore Lyra and Kael's friendship, and how they banter and protect one another. Thane is another one that I adored immediately, especially when he would torment Roark with his teasing. LJ never disappoints with the found family. I just loved everything about this book, and I am SO ready for more of this story.

✨My Viking hyper fixation has been reignited!!!✨

LJ Andrews does it again with another captivating Viking inspired romantasy ⚔️ Broken Soul and Bones was an intense and beautiful true enemies to lovers, forbidden romance with a delicious slow burn between Roark, a non verbal Viking 𝙈 𝘼 𝙉 and Lyra, a cunning women with sliver scars in her eyes who has had to grow up with little memory of who she is while also hiding her magic craft. She is quickly forced into service of the king and put under the protect of the one she wants to be around the least, Roark…or so she thinks.

I devoured the magic and lore in this book, the Norse mythology vibes with a good dose of fantasy was so fun to read.

Roark you brooding, protective, cheeky man!!!! I love him!!! LJ my book bf list is getting longer and longer with all the men you create!!! 😮‍💨

I won’t say this really ends in a cliff hanger, but the story does get flipped upside down and I am dying for book two already!! I definitely, definitely recommend this to my romantasy girlies!! Add this to your TBR!!


Thank you LJ Andrews and NetGalley for this ARC copy! 🩵

Thank you LJ Andrews, Netgalley, & Berkley for the ARC! If Emily writes it, I’ll devour it! I’ve read all of her Broken Kingdoms books and all of The Ever Seas and second generation. I couldn’t wait to dive into a whole new world and fall in love with Lyra & Roark and this book did not disappoint.

The magic system in this book was so intricate, it took me a bit to understand it, but once I did…. Wow. In an over saturated market, this reads like a true romantasy tale you can’t help but get lost in. This book is descriptive and picturesque with all the things I love to read about in a romantasy. I loved all of the characters, the banter, the found family, the plot twists — it truly has everything you crave in a new series.

If you’re looking for a new world to dive into and make your whole personality, look no further! I can’t WAIT for the next book, I’m gonna be hanging off that cliff not so patiently wishing for the next one to be released!

𝕍𝕀𝔹𝔼𝕊 𝔸ℕ𝔻 𝕋ℝ𝕆ℙ𝔼𝕊:
✨Morally Grey Men
✨Shadow Daddy
✨Forced Proximity
✨Villain Gets The Girl
✨Enemies To Lovers
✨Fated Mates
✨Touch Her And Die
✨Disability Rep - MMC is Mute
✨Fierce Found Family
✨Lost Memories/Amnesia
✨Bone, Blood, & Soul Magic
✨Political Intrigue
✨Banter

“To harm the living, craft mirrors the pain. To split the soul, craft sacrifices the blood. To curse the body, craft devours the mind. To bind dead and living, craft corrupts the heart.”

“𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐬 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.”

LJ Andrews does it again! An engrossing tale of a girl named Lyra who vaguely remembers (lost memories) being saved as a young child from her family whose village was ransacked. Then, she is taken from the only home she remembers to serve the King as his melder. I instantly took to Lyra and was rooting her on. I loved her snarky attitude and fierceness and her dislike of crowds (totally makes her relatable!).

This story is told through dual POV. The second POV is our MMC, Roark. I absolutely adore everything about him. A tragic event in Roark’s past leaves him without a voice. With the help of Prince Thane, he learns to speak with his hands. He soon becomes the King’s top warrior even though he is a Draven (an enemy tribe).

A true hate-to-lovers tale with slow burn that is just magical. I love how protective Roark becomes over Lyra (LOTS of touch her and ☠ moments to make you kick your feet) even though he is not sure why he is acting that way since he hates her kind of magic. And just wait until you learn what 𝟑 𝐭𝐚𝐩𝐬 means. Ugh!! So good. The tension between them was done so well.

“𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐟 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞.”

Also, I love the side characters and the found family in this book. Prince Thane, Emi and Kael are great! I cannot wait to see more of them in book 2.

There is world-building. Not intense but enough to make my head hurt. 😂 This story has 𝐕𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐯𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐬 mixed with royalty and political intrigue. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the unique magic in this book. Soul, bone and blood magic. So different and so interesting! Gritty magic, found family, disability and LGBTQ+ rep, witty banter, and all the enemies to lovers tension you could want. NA 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐲 fans, add this one to your TBR. You will not be disappointed.

Thank you @netgalley and @berkleypub for an early digital copy of 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬!

Broken Souls and Bones by @authorljandrews is a uniquely imaginative reading expedition that transports you to the Viking Era, with an interesting twist on bone, blood, and soul magic, and full of tension, emotions, and mystery that will leave you guessing and turning pages.

If you enjoy romantasy, especially if you're a fan of Vikings and enemies-to-lovers, you're going to love this book. I could easily see this topping best seller lists in 2025 when it releases. Truly, you don't want to miss out on reading this beautiful, thrilling story. 🫶🏼

📖 I loved the plot and found the twists and turns to be well executed and the big twist/reveal/shock was 🤯. I suspected it at one point, but then some thing(s) occurred and I thought, 'OK, I was very wrong, can't be __..." This book had me interested in the short prologue, and fully invested in the first chapter.

With its unique spin and elevation of bone, blood, and soul craft (craft is their word for magic), actual enemies-to-lovers, found family... I'm obsessed and need book 2 immediately. 😄

✍️🏼 LJ writes fluidly and in a way that's clear and easy to read. I love the way she slips in bits of lore and mystery throughout, as well as tie-ins. It keeps me turning pages while looking for clues.

The dialogue, oh how I love it. Besides reading as natural, it truly brings the characters to life and showcases their individual personalities. LJ Andrews writes some of my favorite dialogue, be it funny moments or heartfelt, hate filled or spicy. It feels real to me and grounds me in the world's she creates.

⏳️Well paced with no pointless meandering while not skimping on details. I would say it's on the faster side of medium, maybe even the slower end of fast. I read it in 1 sitting, there was no chance I was putting it down.

🗺 With rich, imaginative descriptions and expansive lore, LJ builds a lush world that transports you to a fantasy land during the Viking Era.

🔮 I loved the unique twist on magic. It was well developed and explained with clear (and interesting) costs to using (and to having magic). LJ takes bone magic and elevates it - it isn't necromancy, nor is it bone shard magic like in The Drowned Kingdoms, but something uniquely it's own. There are other types of magic in this book, but the main focus is bone.

👥 I found the characters to be well developed. They're full of personality and nuance, with depth and dimension that highlights the multi-faceted aspects of the various types of relationships.

One of my favorite things about the MMCs in LJ Andrews's books is the way they view and treat women. They empower the females around them. While they're more than happy to fight and even k!ll for them, they're equally happy to stand back and let the females take care of business on their own. They're there for the women to fall back on, should they want or need to, but they never overshadow or silence the women. Consent reigns, loud and proud.

Another is the unconditional love and support within familial (blood or found) units that LJ showcases.

The MMC is silent and uses his hands to communicate. I was ecstatic to see the sign language rep in this book. I'm not a part of that community, but as an outsider it felt like good, nuanced rep.

There is some diversity in the cast, and I love that, as well as some LGBTQIA+ rep.

If you're a character focused reader, I think you'll really enjoy this book.

💞 I love that LJ gives us a true, life-long enemies with a slow, delicious build-up before they become lovers, and takes the time to show how their relationship grows and evolves in a way that feels organic.

🌶 The slow burn is brutally delicious, especially with the will they/won't they push and pull that's going on. I found the spice to be well timed and placed and also realistic. The plot doesn't rely on it, nor is it gratuitous.

📚 If you like Curse of Shadows and Thorns (LJ Andrews), A Fate Inked in Blood (Danielle L. Jensen), Quicksilver (Callie Hart), Anathema (Keri Lake), or Heartless Hunter (Kristen Ciccarelli) then I think you would enjoy Broken Bones and Souls.

⚠️ Please check LJ's site for CW/TW as this is on the darker side.

Thank you to @authorljandrews @berkleypub and @netgalley for the opportunity to read this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley, Berkeley Publishing and LJ Andrews for this digital ARC of "Broken Souls and Bones.”

In true LJ Andrew fashion, this book is another 5 star read! We are introduced to a thrilling new viking themed series centered around soul, bone, and blood magic, and it's everything I hoped for!

One of the things I love most about LJ Andrew’s writing is her ability to create beautiful characters—both the main characters and supporting characters. From their unique personalities to their growth throughout the story, and the sharp, witty dialogue, these characters quickly became ones I cared deeply about. This quote early on perfectly encapsulates the heart of the story:

"My chest burned with affection. Cruel as life could be, everywhere my fate led me, I found a few souls to love."

And love these souls I did! From the very first moments, I was drawn to their stories, their interactions, and their development as they evolved through the book.

By the end of the first chapter, I was fully hooked, and the twists and turns that followed kept me completely captivated. My heart ached as the main characters struggled to recover their lost memories, their confusion deepened by fleeting visions that kept haunting them. At the same time, my heart soared as the powerful bonds of friendship and loyalty developed between characters. The book ends with a major revelation, and now I’m left eagerly awaiting the next book to see where the story goes from here!


What you will find:
-Viking Era
-Silent MMC who communicates through sign language
-Dual POV
-Captive/captor
-Lost Memories
-Forced Proximity

Overall rating: 5🌟
Spice rating: 3/5 🌶️
Emotional damage: 5/5 💧
Favorite character: Roark, of course
Favorite side character: Emi, Thane, Kael…just ALL of them!!
Favorite quotes:
"𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒚 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒂 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆. 𝑰 𝒎𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔."

Note: Obviously this is still in the editing stage so quotes can change before publication