I put off finishing the last 30% of this book because I knew it would get me but oh my GODDDDD this book was just so phenomenal in every way!
As an enjoyer of The Auction, I was so excited to see what Julie Soto would do to the story in the traditionally published format. She absolutely exceeded every expectation I had. It was true enough to the original that I knew the gist but also original enough to stand on its own. And I cannot believe this is a trilogy because what do you mean I was lucky enough to get book one months early so now I'll have to wait extra long to see what happens next?!
The tension, the difficult topics, the world building, the complex characters, it was all so well done.
Toven Hearst had me wanting to jump into the pages and tear his walls down and I hope Briony is able to do that and then some in the next book(s). Also Julie did a great job with Orion and Serena's characters!!

Thank you to Forever Publishing and Julie Soto for the ARC, I'm so grateful <333

Julie Soto could quite literally give me her grocery list and I would read an analyze it like it’s the most heart wrenching romantasy ever.

’Rose in Chains’ delivers A++++++++ angst, morally gray deliciousness, and just the right amount of “we really shouldn’t, but we absolutely will.” Like I’m telling you the chemistry had me on the floor. The tension had my legs divorcing. And Toven was Infuriatingly hot I managed to get pregnant. Im telling you the blairing tension was so THICK that even a the strongest weapon- a sword or something- would not be to cut it if it wanted to.

Julie Soto you have ruined me in the best way possible with this book. It’s altered my entire brain chemistry. I’m going to lose my mind not being able to talk to anyone about this book because it’s not out yet.

Besties, if you like your romantasy served with a side of enemies-to-something spice and a heroine who refuses to go down without a fight, ‘Rose in Chains’ is that baddie. Just be warned: you’ll need emotional support snacks.

I would also like to add that I will absolutely be seducing the publishers and Julie Soto again for book 2 and 3💅

I am fully convinced that Julie Soto can write any genre and i’d EAT IT UP. Her YA debut novel The Thrashers was AMAZING, and when I also received an ARC for this book, I screamed! This story takes off right away and often takes you back and forth in time from the present to years back in Briony’s schooling days. The magic systems were easy to digest and were intricate and unique in a way that wasn’t confusing. I was enamored and hooked into the story since the first chapter. If you are someone who loves a good slow burn (and i mean SLOW BURN) enemies to lovers… this one is for you. There were so many times where I had to take a pause and punch my pillow, screaming at my kindle “JUST KISS YOU IDIOTS”. Needless to say I enjoyed this boo so so much and I am dying to have the next one in my hands 😩 Briony & Toven 4evrr 🤞🤞

Thank you to to the publisher for giving me an ARC 🫶🏻

♾️⭐️
OMG, this was amazing! This book kept the heartbeat of The Auction while standing strong on its own with a refreshing new spin. The world, the magic, and the characters felt familiar yet entirely new, keeping me hooked from start to finish.

The yearning and pining? Top tier. Toven’s mystery, danger, and self-restraint had me feral. Briony is such a refreshing fantasy FMC, and I can’t wait to see how she and the rest of the characters grow. And the Hearst family! Their fierce loyalty and love for each other were beautiful to read.

That ending was insane. I’m ready. Now, off to reread The Auction because I refuse to leave this world just yet.

Thank you Forever and NetGalley for the arc! 🖤

Give me more! I was blown away by Rose in Thorns and I need word of book 2 ASAP! I had no idea that this was a fanfic going into it and now I want to read the original to compare them! Julie Soto really only writes perfection.

The plot of this book was original, especially considering what it was loosely based on. The characters were all interesting and were more that meets the eye. The plot was dark, so definitely read the trigger warning before going in.

Briony is such a strong character, even before she was sold. The fact that she was still able to keep her head held high even though she was forced to basically make her brother look good shows the hidden strength that she has. As the book went on I feel as if she really grew into herself. She was no longer content with just sitting back, but wanted to be part of the change and action. Little did she realize until later that Toven was actually there to support that goal.

It was so great to see the relationship between these two unfold. They are a enemies-to-lovers, star crossed lover type of deal. When I say slow burn, I mean a slooooooooooow burn. I respect that though because although it was obvious how down bad Toven was for Briony, he respected the fact that he needed to gain his trust and actually feel comfortable. I can't wait to learn more about him because I have a feeling he has many layers.

The ending was slightly predictable, but it is the one that I wanted. I am so excited to see how the rest of the series unfolds!

Thank you to the publisher and author for an eARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If Julie Soto writes it then I read it, and this is her best work yet! I started it and was sucked in page 1 and finished it that same day because I could not physically put my kindle down.

I am a huge fan of the Rights and Wrongs series so I was really excited to see what changes Julie was going to make here, and the gender swapping of a character (BIG FAN OF THIS ONE), the magic system now being heart vs mind magic, and even Bombard's succession vs. Evermore's royal family was soooo good and executed so well. Now lets talk Princess Briony and Toven - I AM OBSESSED WITH THEM. Don't go into this book expecting it spicy - there is some but you'll be burning from the tension and yearning here. Please the tension is the real main character of this book!! I ate it up and please that epilogue shocked me and has me impatiently waiting for book 2 already! In the meantime I'm going to reread this and yearn for more Briony and Toven!

Definitely check the trigger warnings before diving in as this is a darker romantasy but they should be listed at the front of the book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever publishing for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

utterly captivating & all consuming !!!!!!!!!!!!!

i genuinely don't even know how to write this review. this book left me in AWE, staring at the wall, wondering how i was supposed to function in normal life. julie, the QUEEN of writing captivating & addicting books, had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. i COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN!!! this is about to be everyone's romantasy obsession !!!!

toven & briony's chemistry & tension is actually unmatched.... also talk about a SLOW BURN OH MY GOD. julie left no crumbs!!!!!!

I LOVE TOVEN I LOVE TOVEN I LOVE TOVEN I LOVE TOVEN I LOVE TOVEN

gnawing at the bars of my enclosure for the next book !!!!!! it cannot come soon enough oh my god !! this is all i'm going to be able to think about !!

thank you ReadForever Pub & Netgalley for the arc. this is my honest review.

This book was absolutely amazing. Such wonderful storytelling and world-building! This is perfect romantasy, with so much tension and an absolutely gripping storyline. I couldn't put it down, and finished it in two days!

I would rate the spice pretty low at this point in the story. It is a SLOOOOOW burn, for sure. But I think it is building beautifully to be an amazing trilogy, and I really just cannot wait for the rest to be released!

LOVED it!

As a reader and fan of The Auction I knew I was going to enjoy this story but Rose in Chains absolutely surpassed all of my expectations.
Julie Soto's writing is incredible. I'm devastated I can't read the second book immediately.
Julie, please don't keep us waiting too long. I beg of you.
I need to know what happens next.
Everyone needs to run out and read this book asap.
Thank you so much to Forever for the arc.

YES YES YES WE HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE BACK BABY

♾️⭐️

oh my god this book has reawakened my love for fantasy books i am OBSESSED .

this book was so addicting from start to finish i never wanted it to end. i had been holding off on starting the auction until i could read this book as i didnt want to go into it with any form of preconceived notions, i didnt want to have the ability to nitpick any aspect of the plot of this book and oh my god all it did was make me even more excited to start my journey with the fic like i have been VIBRATING with excitement for it 😂

as this is the year of dramione fics getting reworked and trad published the big question on everyones mind is “will the book be able to stand on its own without the previous bones?” and i am so excited to say that rose in chains ABSOLUTELY knocked it out of the park where this is concerned!! what i loved about the fact that it feels completely original is that you could still pick up on some vibes are far as characters go, it made it really fun for me when someone new was introduced and i got to contemplate “is this person actually xyz?!”.

i loved that this book kept me guessing as to what was going to happen and who was actually on what side of this war, there were so many times i felt conflicted on what i should feel towards certain characters. the book had me in shambles constantly on the edge of my seat 😩

and the romance my GAAAWD, julie had me devouring any little crumb of them she was willing to give me 🤭 it is a SLOW burn (like mariana zapata levels of evil slow burn LOL) so do prepare yourselves on that. this is a true enemies to lovers (but they’ve always harbored secret feelings bc of course), a “we shouldnt be doing this”, forced proximity, YEARNING LIKE NO OTHER 😭😭 the tension was so palpable between them through out the entire book, i literally have the zoomies just thinking about how their relationship will develop movies forward in the other books 🤭

the cliffy at the end had me SCREAMING as i had been hoping for what occurred since about 1/3rd into the book and i was extremely gagged by the information we gleaned from the scenario made me so giddy, i am just gnawing at the gates on my enclosure to somehow magically get my hands on book two as soon as possible 😩

I really struggle with books where women just seem to suffer, and a lot of this book is that, but more-so the main character's friends/people than herself(though she also goes through some deep shit in this). Just the way we see this all from her perspective is so painful. I do like the romance aspect and where it's heading, and I liked the twist at the end. I hope this girl does get her vengeance in the next book, it will be satisfying when it finally happens.

thank you so much to the author, julie soto, and forever pub for an arc of rose in chains! i absolutely devoured this book! soto’s witting is absolutely captivating and beautiful and sexy!!!!!!!! i love a good enemies to lovers and this was perfect!

This falls under my 6 stars list. I love Julie, I think she is a magnificent author and she keeps surprising me by changing genres and absolutely killing it. I had not read The Auction so I didn't know what to expect... I am blown away with how good this was! The slow burn and sexual tension was astounding. I was panting at parts. The world building and character development was amazing. I loved this so much and cannot wait for the next book!

Links to come

I could not put this down. I went in thinking I would know what to expect and it would feel too much like a retelling or too familiar. I WAS WRONG. WRONG. Also, super into auctions these days.

I told my friend Angela that this book is: Battle at school. Princess gets captured then sold at auction. She's purchased by the guy that she "hates"....and then.....

This story has be itching for the next book. The steam is handled so well. The story is written in a way that just keeps you craving more from all of it. The side characters are great. The world is fantastic. The cliffhanger is real. Bring on the rest of this series.

Julie Soto delivers a dark, gripping romantasy in Rose in Chains, packed with high-stakes tension, slow-burning attraction, and a richly developed magical world. At its core, this is an enemies-to-lovers romance with forced proximity, simmering tension, and just enough hints of hidden feelings to leave you desperate for more.

What to Expect:
• Enemies-to-lovers with all the intensity and longing you could want
• Forced proximity in the most high-stakes way possible (he literally owns her...this is a DARK romance!)
• Single POV, but enough subtle clues about Toven’s feelings to make you ache for a full confession
• A fiercely protective love interest—he might argue with her, but he’d burn the world before letting anyone else touch her
• Dark fantasy elements (definitely check trigger warnings), though the FMC is shielded from most of the worst
• A fascinating magic system and new world to explore!

For hardcore Dramione fans, this book is of course adapted from The Auction, one of Julie Soto’s most beloved fan fictions. But even if you’ve never read the original, Rose in Chains completely stands on its own. The changes she’s made—from the magic system to the worldbuilding—make this feel fresh and immersive while still delivering everything I love about a slow-burn, high-stakes fantasy romance. I already need the next book, because this one leaves on an INCREDIBLE cliffhanger that I never saw coming!

Wow…

What a breathtaking, enthralling and addicting start to this universe. Julie Soto is just one of those authors who ALWAYS gets it right for me.

We enter into this book heavy hearted, defeated with the weight of Brionys’ and people with magic just like hers, new reality. It’s dark, suffocating and has you wanting to scream at the page for these girls. I will say it was difficult to read, as I’d expected, and that those picking up this book be warned it’s dark and follows traumatic themes.

Centered at the start of the end of a war resulting in an auction of the loosing sides people, Rose In Chains brings forth a dark setting. The flashback scenes in between current chapters offer the reader context in which helps decipher the new and mysterious relationship between Briony (our main character) and the Hearst family.

I’m not afraid to admit I was addicted to this book. The more it went on the faster I read to get to answers I so desperately wanted alongside Briony. Julie did an amazing job at introducing this new world full of magic, powerful families and secrets. You will not want to put it down until you’ve uncovered as much as the plot offers.

Now, the romance, or should I say budding romance.. between Briony and Toven is a forbidden masterpiece. Because this is just the beginning of the trilogy, you’re left with just enough crumbs to keep you on the verge of full. It’s suspenseful, slow-building and formed between childhood insults turned into adult longing. Longing for something neither of them will admit aloud.

I am absolutely so seated for the rest of this trilogy.

You’re KILLING me, Julie! This was truly delicious and the sexual tension was so my cup of tea I am actively angry I have to wait for the next installment. Read this in a little more than a day because Julie will have you by your throat for chapters. Ugh. Idk what to do right now.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review 🙂

I am a lover of romantasy and I enjoyed the other Julie Soto book that I read, so I was excited to give this one a try!

This is a perfect read for dark romantasy fans who like the enemies-to-lovers trope. The romance in this story is very much a slow burn - the romance itself is barely there, but readers have an idea where things are headed. But don't mistake slow burn, for meaning there aren't spicy things happening in this story. The magic system is interesting and the world building is there in a subtle way without getting too deep into it.

This is a dark romantasy, and I think readers should definitely look into trigger warnings before reading.

I really enjoyed the story and I'm already eager to read the next book!

Thank you to #NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this as an arc
I'm not sure what my final rating is and To be completely honest these were my thoughts while reading the book:
-too long
-more of the same
With 5is being said, also keep in mind that l'm in a reading slump and that affected my reading experience for sure!
There was a point where I just wanted to skim through it because it was always jumping times I didn't care for it
Just a final note: I didn't feel connect to the characters to a point that I didn't care who lived or died throughout the book and the finale although interesting, it just reminded me of the fourth wing ending

Thank you to Forever Publishing and Julie Soto for trusting me with this ARC.

I'll open this review up by saying I read the fanfiction this is based off of - The Auction - back when it was a weekly/monthly updated fic on AO3, so I did carry that with me while reading. However, I do think that this book will be widely loved, even by people who didn't read that fic as it was so, so loved by me.

Briony is a Mind Magician and the princess of Evermore. She is almost constantly underestimated and pushed aside in favor of her brother - Rory, who is set to not only be the King of Evermore but the Heir Twice Over. He is foretold to be the only person who can put a stop to the war between the Mind Magicians and the Heart Magicians, who reside primarily in Bomard. Veronika Marrow - the first owner of a Dragon familiar in centuries - claims that Mind Magic is dangerous and unnatural and leads the Bomardi people to war with the people of Evermore. On opposing sides of that war are Briony and Toven - her school crush and the flirtatious boy who bullied her. The story opens as Rory is killed and the Bombardi people have taken hostages - including Briony - to siphon them of their magic and use them for other nefarious purposes.

This book was un-put-down-able. I feel like I ate, slept and breathed it from the moment I turned the first page to the acknowledgements at the end - which I rarely ever read if I'm being honest but I felt the need to read these because I didn't want it to be over. The characters are so lovable and multi-faceted and with the story primarily being told through Briony's eyes, we're just as lost as she is when it comes to Toven's character and motives, as well as those of his family. Their wit was sharp, the banter was on point and I'm almost positive that Julie Soto invented the word 'yearning' at this point. All that being said, buckle up for a SLOWWWWW BURNNNNN.

The only bad part about getting an ARC of a book you've been anticipating for a year is that the wait to book two is so much longer in a lot of ways, and with a cliffhanger like this one.... I need book two STAT.