Thank you so much to LJ Andrews for the ARC!

Y'ALL the way I want ready to get swept away by this book! I have just finished and my jaw dropped so fast at the end I'm going to need a melder to help me! I've read most of LJ Andrews books and Andrews has written another world to love and sink into.

Our main characters are so engaging and intriguing and each new character or detail adds to a rich world. I can't wait to see what happens in Book 2 and I'll have to cope with the waiting by rereading it!

I'm be telling everyone who hasn't pre-ordered yet, get to it!

Blood Broken Souls and Bones provides readers with a classic LJ Andrews read -- vikings, powerful magic, feuding and greedy royals, and a touch of "trust no one vibes."

LJ Andrews does a wonderful job of building a new world and introducing the reader to a host of fun characters. Lyra is a take-charge, "won't take no for answer" FMC. She powers through, but always learns to question the circumstances surrounding her -- especially as she is held captive by the King due to her powers as a bone melder. I loved the inclusion of Roark -- the MMC who is non-speaking due to events in his childhood. It was fun to see a community that respected his authority and role and sought to engage with him through sign. I loved watch how quickly he and the FMC learned to speak to each other. The side characters really had life and humor to this story and I hope to see many of them return for the second book in the series.

The plot is an interesting one with LJ laying the foundation for what is to come. What seems has a simple story of find the only living female bone melder turns into a much more sinister and cruel story of mystery and power. LJ Andrews definitely left us mystified as to where she will take this twisty story next after that cliffhanger. Can't wait to see...

I have been wanting to read a book LJ Andrews and I am so glad I picked this book up. I loved the Viking influence. The magic system felt unique. The found family was wonderful. The mystery with everything else made me don’t be about to put the book down. I will be waiting for the second book eagerly.

Another winner from one of the mothers of authors.
Great characters, love the plot, shadow daddy, touch her and die, enemies to lovers, found family, magic, spice and more. I love the read. It was easy to follow and not slow at all. I love how they communicate and how they are drawn to one another. I love that you still don’t know everything even until the last chapter.

This book was really well written! The mythological and cultural elements present in the book were infused thoroughly throughout the plot. I also loved the representation present in the characters and the suspense I felt as the reader. I would rate this four stars because I loved the book overall but felt the bulk of the action in the book was in the back quarter which made some of the other 3/4 feel overdrawn.

Things I loved about this book:

•Sign language representation
•Strong female lead
•Slow burn tension
•Easy to understand magic
•Easy to grasp world building
•Multiple animated characters with developing personalities

Another LJ classic

As a huge fan of LJ Andrews, I was absolutely blown away by Broken Souls and Bones. From the very first page, I was drawn into the intricate world Andrews has so beautifully crafted. The magic system in this book is nothing short of mesmerizing—complex yet intuitive, and it ties into the story in such a way that you can’t help but be captivated by its depth and implications.

Lyra Bien is such a compelling character; her struggle with the weight of her abilities, her desire for a quiet life, and her journey into a world full of danger and power make her someone you can’t help but root for. Roark Ashwood, the mysterious, brooding guard, was another highlight for me. His character grows in such a compelling way, and the way he and Lyra’s relationship evolves is full of tension, passion, and depth. I found myself as invested in their personal growth as I was in the plot itself.

The storyline is intense and filled with twists, and the slow burn of Lyra and Roark’s connection is perfection. There’s a strong sense of mystery and urgency that kept me on the edge of my seat. The emotional depth of the characters and the stakes involved make every moment matter.

If you’re a fan of LJ Andrews’ work, this book will not disappoint. It’s beautifully written, with the kind of world-building and character development that makes her books so special.

I know we have all read a book that has bonded to our souls. A book that struck us in such a way that we are forever different in the best ways. This book is that kind of story, but if you know LJ’s writing then you know this already. Her words speak to me in so many ways. They whisper to my tragedy’s and pain and they comfort me in a way I can’t even quite describe fully but I will try here and try not to stray far from reviewing the actual book. LJ’s words have spoken to my soul, to my heart, a gentle tap, tap, tap, to knock on the door of it to tether me to her worlds.
When you choose to venture into this world you will meet Lyra Bien and Roark Ashwood,two people unlikely ever to cross paths until a power hungry king wants to claim Lyra for her gifts. There are some battles that go beyond the physical fight of our bodies, to the very struggle to save the very core of who we are. Roark speaks with his hands in such a way to captivate our imagination and draw us into his experiences. Do you break with the struggle that duty and loyalty puts onto us or are you more than that? Unlikely allies, found family, blood, bone and soul magics, a burn the world down love that consumes your heart, just a few points giving you a taste of their world.

OMG. Oh. Em. Gee! Fantastic! This book absolutely blew me away! It's exactly what I love about the romantasy genre! Action. Magic. Adventure. Handsome viking warriors. Brave and clever FMCs. I'm so excited to tell everyone about this book! (And I have! I've convinced 2 local bookstores to order it already...)

When I first started this book, the world building was a little intense. On a scale of 1 to Crescent City it is probably a 5, just a little more than normal. My feelings on this probably have everything to do with the head cold I was battling at the time... Anyway. But after just a few chapters, I was IN IT. I'm not even sure my mind has left that world yet. It felt like I was living it for real. Or at least watching a *fantastic* show. It sucked me right in.

The magic system is very unique, based on bones, and blood, and some can also see souls. There is political conflict between different kingdoms. There seems to be some complicated history there that is yet to be revealed. I'm excited to see what happens in the next book!

This book is for you if you love:
*Vikings
*Unique magic system based on blood, bones, and souls
*Warring kingdoms
*Dual POV
*Enemies to reluctant allies to lovers
*Touch her and d!e
*Sign language representation
*Hidden identities

Lyra and Roark have my heart. A "touch her and die" MMC, but deep down, he's a total sweetheart. “Tears? What must I do to return them to your eyes?” UGH.

Set in a Viking inspired world, LJ Andrews knows how to create beautifully descriptive settings that completely immerse you. There was so much action especially towards the end. I know this book isn't out yet, but that ENDING was wild and I'm so excited to see how the story continues.

I loved every second of this!!

⚔️ I have read many of LJ Andrews’ books and I can honestly say she just gets better and better. I can’t believe how good this book is. I immediately wanted to reread it.
⚔️ LJ certainly knows how to write those silent broody types and I am here for it.
⚔️ Everything from the world building to the plot to the chemistry and personalities of the characters was mesmerizing. I couldn’t put it down.

Broken Souls and Bones is not a short read but it's a story that will have you on the edge of your seat and ends with a cliffhanger that will have you wanting the next book asap. I really don't want to give anything away, but this story is full of characters you will love, and those you will love to dislike. However, when it comes to this story Lyra, Kael, Roark, Emi, Prince Thane and Yrsa are just a few of them you will love. The chemistry, attraction, desire and protectiveness that develops between Lyra and Roark is everything. This story is funny and it's full of great main and side characters, suspense, mystery, enemies, allies, death, lies, secrets, betrayal, greed, power plays, attraction, romance, desire, need, a sense of belonging, divided and entwined souls, magic and so much more. It ended with a cliffhanger I didn't see coming at all and I can't wait to read the next book in this series. I think readers that enjoy paranormal stories filled with action, unexpected surprises, romance and fated souls will enjoy this story. I know it's one I will be recommending to all of my paranormal romance book loving friends.

He’s a 10, but he leaves men he’s killed and dismembered on pikes in front of the palace because they insulted or harmed you… and then asks if he frightens you 💀

L.J Andrews is truly the queen of writing and creating Viking worlds and atmospheres. I loved this book as much as her Broken Kingdoms and Ever Seas series, and I can’t wait for more of this new perfect and hopefully long series.

Immediately in Broken Souls and Bones we get thrown into the world of Jarls, Kings, armies (Stav), and the life of Lyra, a bone-melder. Our FMC is so easy to love, and so easy to relate to. We watch her grow in strength and confidence throughout this book and watch her grow into her magic. Did I mention that this Viking world is full of blood, bone, and soul magic? Yeah, it’s freaking awesome. As we meet our MMC, the prince’s stoic and reserved sentry named Roark, he is also easy to love with his hand speak, skill, brutality and tenderness to those he protects and loves. The two main characters are obviously connected all the way down to their souls, and seeing their character development and relationship was such a perfect journey. This book was really intense at times, had many elements unravel, and a lot of action which always had me wanting to read more, making me stay up way past my bedtime many nights. This book gave me all the feels, and I enjoyed every single second of it.

I am on L.J Andrews’ Street Team and have previously ARC read The Mist Thief. I was given this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, and I am not exaggerating when I say I’m OBSESSED with L.J Andrews writing style and books. This book is worth the read x500,000,000,000,000. If you love Vikings and magic, this is for you.

*Scenes are subject to change through editing as this has not been published yet

LJ Andrews is proving herself an autobuy author for me!

Broken Souls and Bones is the perfect introduction book to this new series, with such an interesting, unique magic system and worldbuilding. I loved the MCs, they had great chemistry, fun banter and interactions, and I loved the ending! I can't wait for the next one!

Thank you LJ Andrews, Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC!

Another amazing Romantasy by LJ Andrew’s! I cannot wait for the world to meet Roark and Lyra! Infinity stars for this one! Thank you to LJ and her team for this e-arc!

LJ Andrews doesn’t miss, and her newest shows that. This felt new and fresh with so many of our favourite fantasy qualities. I was hooked in quickly and didn’t stop until it ended. I loved this book, the characters and the beautiful development. The pacing was perfect and world building was excellent.

Broken Souls and Bones by LJ Andrews is a captivating, emotional read that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The characters are relatable, and the story mixes suspense with romance perfectly. If you love a thrilling, heart-wrenching journey, this book is definitely worth picking up!

This was stunning. The world building was a fresh new idea, deep, and well developed. The magic system was fascinating but never felt too tricky to understand. I feel like information was perfectly distributed throughout the book and was constantly learning more without being confused. The plot had great twists - even though you thought you knew, there was still some shocks. The characters put a heavy emphasis on family and I am so excited to follow their growth in the next installment. I cannot wait for more Lyra and Roark.

This is the first book in the Stonegate series, a new Viking dark romantasy inspired by blood, Bone and soul magic. This is in a separate world from the author’s prior series. This book does include adult spicy content and is dark in terms of themes and content.

Tropes and themes include:

✨found family

✨court intrigue

✨sign language rep

✨LGBTQ+ rep

✨touch her and die

✨enemies to lovers

✨banter

✨forbidden romance

✨angst/hurt/comfort.

The Lovely: I’m not even sure where to start on what I loved. Is “all of it” fair? If I have to narrow down to my favorite part, it would be the rich characters and their relationships. The supporting characters, the found family, are well-developed and each have their own role to play in the story. The MMC and FMC have a delectable chemistry that grows and changes as the book progresses. There’s a definite push and bull between them and I enjoyed this dynamic.

Also Lovely: Back to picking lovely part - I think it’s hard because all the pieces of the work and come together in such a seamless manner. The author’s writing flows in such a manner you don’t even notice the individual pieces. The tension and pacing kept me engaged and the mysterious nature kept me guessing. I would think I had something figured out and then something would happen to change my mind. This made for a fun read.

Rating: 5/5 Stars 3/5 Flames

Recommendation: Thank you to the author and the publisher for this ARC. I have no doubt I will re-read this at least once before its release - it is just that good. The ending isn’t so much a cliffhanger as there’s a big reveal that turns the story upside down. I need to know what happens next - like NOW. I’m in love with these characters and just want to live in their world.

LJ Andrews has done it again. This was an absolute masterpiece. Everything about this was absolutely fantastic. I’ve been able to really see how her writing has grown, and seeing her start over with world building and creating an entirely new cast is mesmerizing. Her style of writing is so incredibly immersive and I can’t help but feel proud of her as I read this first traditionally published book.
I was gushing over these characters the entire time, and one thing Andrews has always excelled at is writing a found family. This book had my new favorite found family, I absolutely adored every single character. Seeing their banter, and the small details she adds in to show how much they care for each other is unmatched.
The story and plot felt new and unique while still utilizing well loved tropes that never seem to get old. She has a way of sucking you in, and getting you so invested. The ending of the book was some of her best work honestly, every reveal had me gasping and on the edge of my seat. The way these books are written make you feel so much for every single character. You know when you feel so deeply for characters, it truly feels like you know them. I am not so patiently awaiting the next book in this series.
Thank you endlessly to Berkley and NetGalley for the arc of Broken Souls and Bones. Getting to experience a new favorite early is truly an honor.