3.5+/5 ⭐️, 1.5/5 🌶️, 0/5 💧

🗡️ Unique Magic System
🗡️ Found Family
🗡️ Norse Mythology Inspired
🗡️ Forced Proximity/ Bodyguard
🗡️ LGBTQ+ Rep
🗡️ Dual POV

There was a lot of world building in this that is more complex than some other fantasy/romantasy so I would say this might be more geared towards advanced fantasy readers. If this genre is new to you, I’m not sure how captivating it is at first. It was difficult for me to stay engaged with the world building as I was impatient for answers. If you read for vibes and don’t care to figure out everything, this would be a great read for you. I had many hunches that turned out to be right, but I was frustrated as I didn’t feel like I got enough validation earlier in the book.

I thought it was slower paced, and more built on trying to figure out what was happening rather than being swept away by the story. I thought the tension and romance plot was good, but I was so distracted by figuring out the fantasy plot line and wishing it would move faster that I wasn’t super invested in the story.

The ending was interesting and recaptured my interest and I anticipate that the next book will really ramp up. Understanding a new world and magic system is hard, and if you like that challenge and love the vibes without answers, this is a fantastic book that I would recommend to you. If you’re new to LJ Andrews, I would recommend you start with her Ever Seas series, as it captivated me from the start with easier world building and faster pacing.

Genre: Dark fantasy romance
POV: Duel, 1st person
Series: Book 1
Relationship: M/F
Cliffhanger: YES
TW/CW: YES
ARC Platform: NetGalley
Format: e-ARC

Favorite Quote:
“You brightened my soul and I knew.”

Darkness Rating: 3/5🖤
Gore. War & violence. Past child mutilation. SA threats. Torture. Morally grey MCs.

Spice Rating: 3/5🌶️
Hand full of explicit scenes.

Overall Rating: 4.5/5⭐️
Such a beautiful and unique fantasy world.
This is an action, fast paced book that will leave you waiting for more.
The tension between the MCs is was done perfectly and felt natural.
The ending killed me and I am dying for book two!

*disclaimer: my darkness and spice rating might not be the same for you. Please do your own research before reading*

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

"Broken Souls and Bones" is my first book by LJ Andrews, but it won't be my last. I can't wait for this book to be released so I can recommend and talk about it with everyone.

I felt very lost with all the information being introduced at the beginning. It was bad enough that I contemplated DNFing, but it was worth it to stick through it. It all came together very well. The characters are not groundbreaking, but they are enjoyable. Small things like the main male character being mute were good additions to the story.

Rated 4 stars. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC ebook.

Very original and well written. Any lover of romantasy will enjoy this one! Lyra and Roark were perfecto for each other, and I cannot wait for my book club to read this one.

I love LJ Andrews and this book did not disappoint. A lot of information is thrown at you and I did find it a bit overwhelming and confusing at times, but otherwise I really enjoyed the story and the characters.

⭐ 5/5—utterly obsessed

This is my first L.J. Andrews book, but absolutely NOT my last! Can I just say that when I got to 70% of this book, I was internally screaming, "I need book two now, now, now"—not me throwing a tantrum over a book like a toddler denied a cookie. But seriously, this is not just a book. It’s a whole experience, and I was not emotionally prepared.

From the very first page, I was sucked into this world like a magic portal opened and yanked me in. The setting? Vast, immersive, and dripping with intrigue. I have questions, I need answers, and I need more.

Let’s talk about our main duo: Lyra and Roark. These two GRABBED my attention, held me hostage, and refused to let go. Lyra, our fierce and sassy heroine, has no memories of her childhood before she mysteriously appeared in a new village. But with silver scars in her eyes and a very rare magical ability (she’s a Melder—able to control soul, blood, and bone magic), she knew she had to stay hidden. Of course, that doesn’t last long because enter Roark, the King’s silent, brooding sentry, who discovers her and basically whisks her away into a whole mess of danger, power struggles, and EXPLOSIVE tension.

Let’s be clear: Roark does not speak, but L.J. Andrews made me feel everything Roark wanted to say. The way this man communicates without words is absolutely incredible. And the chemistry? WHEW. It’s enemies-to-lovers slow-burn perfection. The distrust, the tension, the unspoken longing—I was shivering. The author nailed the pacing of their romance; nothing felt forced, and their dynamic unfolded so naturally.

The secondary characters? Chef’s kiss. Emi, Thane, and Kael injected humor, drama, and emotional depth into the story, and I adored them.

Now let’s talk PLOT. Jaw-dropping. The twists and turns had me gasping—especially the final 20% of the book. And that last 10%? Pure, utter shock. My Kindle almost went flying. L.J. Andrews knew exactly what she was doing, and she did it so well.

🔥 Tropes & Elements I Loved:
- Enemies-to-lovers (slow burn PERFECTION)
- Hidden identity
- Secret and Lies
- Bodyguard romance
- Touch Her And Die
- Forced proximity
- Unique magic system
- Non-verbal MMC
- Chosen one vibes
- Morally grey characters
- Dual POV

I was giddy with emotions while reading this. One minute I was excited, the next I was frustrated, then I was proud, and before I knew it, I was panicking. If you love romantasy with a strong female lead, a silent but deadly MMC, intense action, and mind-blowing twists, then Broken Souls and Bones is a must-read.

*tap, tap, tap* had me in an actual chokehold

Synopsis
Lyra Bien has spent her life trying to remain unnoticed, but when Roark Ashwood—the silent sentry of Stonegate—arrives in her village, her secrets are exposed. Marked by silver scars and a forbidden magic, Lyra is forced to reveal her abilities to save her best friend, only to be claimed by the Jarl as the kingdom’s next melder.

Being a melder means wielding rare and powerful magic, but it also means being a tool of the king and a prisoner in all but name. Determined to break free and protect those she loves, Lyra seeks out the one person who might hold the answers she needs: Roark. The enigmatic warrior is feared across the kingdom, but as Lyra gets closer to him, she discovers he may be more than just a cold-blooded killer—he might be her only ally.

With secrets unraveling and a dark destiny looming, Lyra and Roark must make an impossible choice: fight against everything they’ve been taught or surrender to the fate that binds them together.

Book Review
Plot & Characters
L.J. Andrews crafts a world filled with intrigue, lost magic, and a brooding sentry you can’t help but love. The story follows Lyra, a girl trying to escape the notice of a power-hungry Jarl, only to be thrust into a dangerous role as the kingdom’s lost melder. Her reluctant ally, Roark Ashwood, is a deadly and mysterious sentry whose true loyalties remain unclear. Their dynamic is a mix of tension, forced proximity, and undeniable chemistry—though their connection felt a wee bit too instant at times.Kael, the fiercely loyal side character, was a standout for me, and I was half-expecting a love triangle that never materialized. The villains and political players added depth to the story, though the heavy exposition in the beginning made it hard to keep track of who was who.The last act of the book delivered some major twists—one of which I didn’t see coming, which is rare for me with fantasy books. I would have loved more time to sit with the fallout of the final revelations after all of the buildup during the book.

Writing & Pacing
Read the 20% at a leisurely pace taking time to understand the unique magic system, the large amount of upfront information on magic and characters made it hard to connect with the story early on. The worldbuilding is interesting and unique, but it takes time to settle into it. Once the story picks up, the pacing improves, though the ending could have used more breathing room. Despite this, Andrews’ writing is engaging, and Roark’s character in particular had me hooked. In fact, he’s officially earned a spot on the shadow daddy master list—silent, brooding, deadly, and utterly captivating.

TLDR
If you like Norse-inspired fantasy with forbidden magic, intrigue, and morally gray warriors, this one is worth picking up!

THE LAST 10% >>>>>>>>

WOW 🤯

I enjoyed this for the most part but was also... bored? Idk if it was because of the MMC or what but I needed more tension. The magic and plot was pretty freaking cool though and I am intrigued for more because of that ending!

3.5⭐
-romantasy
-enemies to lovers
-bodyguard
-forced proximity
-captive
-morally grey mmc

This was my first book by LJ Andrews and let me say she now has a reader forever! From the beginning, I was absolutely hooked with the story trying to piece together every little bit of information I could about Lyra, Kael, Emi, Thane and of course Roark.

There were some amazing twists in this book and I cannot wait for more readers to get ahold of this story at it's launch!

Thank you to Ace/Berkley for the review copy.

He was a storm rolling off the tides, but I could not find the strength to run. Instead, it seemed, I stood at the water's edge, willing the gale to devour me.

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley/Ace for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

After reading and enjoying Ever King by LJ Andrews, I was immediately drawn to this book by its premise and STUNNING cover! Much like Ever King, this book has the elements that I've come to love and expect from LJ: a stunning Nordic-inspired world, a fascinating magic system, and lots of found family! I especially loved Lyra's relationship with her adopted brother, Kael.

The star of this book for me was the magic system - it was structured around bone craft (bone manipulation), blood craft (blood casting), and soul craft (power from the dead). Some melders are also able to blend all three craft. This magic allowed for some pretty unusual and gruesome scenes with bone melding. I loved that it helped convey the brutality and viciousness of the conflict between Jorvandal and Dravenmoor, and also the impacts of the FMC, Lyra's melding abilities.

Minor spoiler -
My lone gripes with this story is that it kept a pretty steady, slow-ish pace and then completely upends things in the last 10% of the book. There is a slew of lengthy dialogue - which felt a lot like telling and not showing to beat the reader over the head with explanations of what's happening. This book does end on a cliffhanger.

Book review 📖

📜Broken Souls And Bones
✍️LJ Andrews
📠Berkley Publishing
📚Fantasy Fiction
🗓️Pub date: April 29, 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

✨Thank you @NetGalley and @berkleypub for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

✨Lyra Bien tries to avoid attention at all costs, especially from the magic-obsessed king of Stonegate. She chooses to look downcast to hide the silver scars in her eyes.

✨Roark Ashwood, the king’s silent guard and royal assassin, invades Lyra’s village and uncovers the truth behind her magic. To save her best friend from death, Lyra is immediately claimed by the crown as the next melder.

✨To be the king’s melder means to be feared, but it is a death sentence. Trying to free herself and her friends means becoming close with her captor, Roark, and discovering the dark destiny that awaits them.

✨ Broken Souls And Bones had a Vikings feel to it and was a unique magic system and world. It took me a little bit to understand what a melder’s role was, which distracted me from the plot, but once I got into it, it was a fun read. Typical Andrews’ fashion—great prose, great book!

#netgalley #brokensoulsandbones #ljandrews #berkleypublishing #advancedreadercopy #arc #bookreview #bookstagrammer #springreleases #fantasyfiction #romantasy

LJ can literally do no wrong! You guys are not ready for Roark! He takes the whole strong, silent type to a whole new level. He is everything we could hope for and more in a broody soldier/guard. The tension, the chemistry, just everything between him and Lyra is perfection. Not only are the MCs amazing, but the side characters have so much depth and bring so much to the storyline.

From the moment Lyra Bien’s quiet life is shattered by the arrival of Roark Ashwood, this book grips you and refuses to let go. This enthralling fantasy delivers everything a reader could hope for—high stakes, deep secrets, a fierce heroine, and a slow-burning romance that smolders with intensity.

Lyra is a heroine to root for: courageous, intelligent, and willing to risk everything to protect those she loves. Her journey from a hidden talent to the King’s feared melder is laced with tension and heartbreak, making every step feel earned. And then there’s Roark—the silent, enigmatic warrior whose reputation as a killer masks a far more complex reality. Their chemistry crackles on the page, their reluctant alliance evolving into something deeper as they face the sinister forces at play.

Beyond the romance, the novel shines with its richly woven world and suspenseful twists. Every revelation pulls you deeper into Lyra’s struggle for freedom, leading to a thrilling climax that will leave you breathless. Fans of gripping fantasy, forbidden magic, and slow-burn romance will devour this book in one sitting.

If you’re looking for a story with heart-pounding action, dark intrigue, and an unforgettable love story, this book is an absolute must-read!

LJ can literally do no wrong! You guys are not ready for Roark! He takes the whole strong, silent type to a whole new level. He is everything we could hope for and more in a broody soldier/guard. The tension, the chemistry, just everything between him and Lyra is perfection. Not only are the MCs amazing, but the side characters have so much depth and bring so much to the storyline.

The magic system itself truly is so unique and unlike anything I've read before. It had my interests piqued from the start. The plot twists and overall anticpation for what's to come were so intense and had me holding my breath in so many instances. I will literally rave about this book to anyone and everyone. I desperately need the next book because the bomb of a cliffhanger she leaves us with is just unfair.

♾️⭐️

LJ can truly do no wrong. I've read countless of her books and they never cease to amaze me with the worldbuilding, intricate magic and swoon-worthy romance. Roark- A DREAM. It was so unique to have a mute MMC who uses sign language and other methods of communication and it was done beautifully in my opinion and made their connection all the more special.
I love how outspoken and bada$$ Lyra (our FMC) is and she was such a balance to Roark in so many ways. The tension, yearning and chemistry between the two was perfection. The story was action-packed and I was hooked the entire time.
The imagery was perfect and I felt truly immersed in the story, as I always do with LJ's worlds.
The ending? I need more!!
Huge thank you to Berkley for the e-ARC!

What an amazing story! I am a huge fan of LJ’s work, and getting lost in this new world was so much fun. The magic was so interesting and unique - I can’t wait to dive more into it in the next book. I loved the tension between Lyra and Roark - it was a slow burn, but did it ever ignite! The last 25% had me on the edge of my seat, the twists were so well executed! Some I picked up on clues for, others were a total shock (in the best way). This was a fantastic read!

Thank you to LJ Andrews and Berkley for the advanced reading copy, thoughts and review are my own.

“Break me, I no longer care, as long as it is you who wields the destruction.”

Another masterpiece by LJ Andrews👏🏼

I didn’t think it would get better than the Ever Seas, however I am always so surprised at how captivating her stories are.
The level of depth she brings to her characters, even when they can’t speak is mind blowing.

The devotion, the yearning, the found family, the wickedness. All done so perfectly!

I don’t know how else to describe Broken Souls and Bones besides - Incredible.

Plot - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Details - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice - 🌶️🌶️

I love this author! She always knows how to keep you reading.

Enemies to lovers? Say less! The best part is he signs and doesn’t speak, so when he realizes she knows how to communicate with him, *swoon*

YES! Thank you NetGalley for this ARC! One of the best romantic fantasies I've read lately. The characters are wonderful... especially Roark. He is such a unique character on his own. I LOVE how the author incorporated "sign language/hand speak" into the story. Good tension, banter and forced proximity between main characters. Great job LJ Andrews! I can't wait to see how this story progresses in the next book!

This was so addicting!

Will be adding Roark Ashwood to the Aragorn coded shadow daddy mmc roster tyyyyyy

Lyra is a sheltered young girl with a hidden past who is reluctantly exposed as the next great magic user for the kingdom. The princes’ lethal & silent guard is assigned to protect her from those who would seek to have her killed and upend the king’s plans to exploit her power.

It is extremely satisfying to me when an author’s writing perfectly matches the tone of a high stakes plot! The nods to Viking culture/Norse mythology interwoven into this world made this such an atmospheric & immersive reading experience, I ended up reading in only two sittings. For a first book in a new series, I was not anticipating feeling so endeared to these characters but LJ Andrews did a phenomenal job of making me feel invested into every single one! I’m so curious to see how everything will pick up in the next book because this ending was BRUTAL!

One really special element I want to mention is the way in which the mmc communicates. This mmc is mute from a previous injury so uses a variance of sign language to speak and I found this to be such a beautifully inclusive addition to the fantasy genre.

I would like to see more development between the leads as a unit in the next installment as some parts of their dynamic seemed hastened over after their initial coupling.

Read if you like:
— Vikings
— Norse mythology
— Reluctant allies to lovers
— Slow burn
— Broody but soft mmc
— Unique magic system
— Found family
— Betrayals