Summary

Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5/5

Spicy rating: 🌶️🌶️ 2.5/5

LJ Andrews absolutely slaps when it comes to romantasy and this is no exception! I am so buzzing I got to read her read pub debut early and the Nordic/ Viking inspired world was so addictive to read about!

One of the things I love most about LJs writing is she always has well established and interesting supporting characters. Thane for example, loved him from is very first line! The way the character relationships develop throughout this book was so gorgeous to read I adored the found sibling, sweet relationship between Lyra and Kael as much as the development of the romance between Lyra and Roark which I think speaks volumes as to how well the dynamics are written.
There’s a beautiful budding female friendship between Lyra and Emi and they are absolute banter besties and that was also so fun to read.

Roark was a beautiful morally grey MMC (our fave) and I love how even though he’s non verbal and uses sign language she’s still able to craft gorgeous intimate moments with no words. I was LIVING for the yearning and small touches! This book was the absolute embodiment of all the best parts of the romantasy genre!

My only real critiques would be I would’ve liked a little more history of Lyra and Roark before they crash in to eachother although given the developments at the end of the book I can see why this was the direction she took. And whilst the magic system was intriguing, I found it slightly confusing at times.

This story was engaging, fast paced and chaotic in the best way. Like come on that last 20% was freaking WILD! There’s a great set up for the remainder of the story as well as a good mix of humour that definitely ups the enjoyment and entertainment value. The magic system was intriguing and the world building was great in setting up the story.

I highly recommend this one!

This was my first book by LJ Andrews (even though The Ever Seas has been sitting on my shelf for a year), and I absolutely loved it! The world-building was rich and immersive, with a magic system that was both unique and fascinating—I'm still wrapping my head around all the details, but it completely pulled me in. The plot was full of twists and turns that left me stunned, and the MMC was one of the most intriguing characters I’ve read in a while. His inability to communicate in the usual way made him even more compelling.

The FMC was just as captivating—cautious and hesitant, yet deeply loyal and protective of her family. I also adored the side characters, who added so much depth to the story. And that ending? It has me desperately waiting for book two! The slow burn was so slow, but so worth it! This world was an absolute joy to dive into, and I highly recommend pre-ordering it before its release on April 29th!

Thank you to NetGalley and penguin random house for this ARC! It took me a while to pick this up again as I needed to wait to be on the mood for a world building heavy fantasy! But let me tell you… I loved every second of it. Like I said, the world building is heavy to begin with - the first 30% is really about finding your feet with the story, and I love that so much. It reminded me a lot of Road of Bones, which I ADORE!

The slow burn was EXCELLENT!!! This is slow burn done right - romance before 60% is sometimes a bit iffy for me, so this was brilliant.

The diversity rep in this was really special. Something I have only read in one other book before (the witch collector) and it was written really carefully.

Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, Viking bones goodness! The ending was amazing - I need book 2 like immediately!

One of my most anticipated reads of the year and this did not disappoint. LJ Andrews never fails to hook me into a story and this time was certainly no different.

I love the characters, the setting, the plot, all of it was amazing.


Now that ive finished this book i have read all of LJ Andrews' work and cant wait to get my hands on more

I picked this out of sheer curiosity, and because the concept just sounded somewhat different to most things I've read recently. And it certainly pays off in that regard.

We're first introduced to Lyra Bien, a bone melder who has managed for years to safely keep her secrets hidden. A visit to the village from Roark Ashwood, the Sentry to Stonegate threatens the peace she had grown so used to and she's forced to reveal the secrets of her forbidden magic abilities in order to save the life of her best friend Kael from certain death. But doing so only leads to a life where she is a king's prisoner and tool, to be discarded when she is no longer needed.

There was a lot to like about this, though I'll admit there were times I put the book down and didn't feel that desire to pick it back up again until I actually started reading. The world building and intriguing characters were certainly a couple of it's largest strengths. Although it was slow to pick up initially, once the slow-burn romance actually started to pick up slightly things became a tad more interesting. I think occasionally I felt a bit overwhelmed by the amount of info that was being thrown at you for the first half - it felt like so much to take in and yet at the same time not much was happening?
Once it had passed that point it certainly found it's footing.. The last 10-15% was absolutely unputdownable!!

But alas, just when it starts to get really good, of course it ends..
I'll admit it's certainly good at leaving you gagging for the next book, that's for sure.

Special mention to the side characters, who were wonderfully developed and each had their own back stories and depth!!
Also the romance was wonderfully paced (big fan of slow-burn romance) and Roark was such an interesting character! Gotta love a man who would tear the world apart to defend someone they care for 💖

I've not read an L.J Andrews book before, despite the Ever series being on my tbr for some time, but that'll definitely change from now! Excited to see what else the author has in store for us in book 2!

Well, all i can say is.............. YOU LOT ARE IN FOR A TREAT!!! ✨️🔥❤️🎉

LJ is onto another winner with the 1st instalment in the Stonegate series. You will fall in love with all the characters. This book had me jumping around on my sofa as always!!!! And leaving me wanting more 🤤🔥 We have enemies to lovers, forced proximity, fated mates, spice, norse mythology, and plenty of heart-wrenching moments. Plus, some of the best twists!!! I could tell you more, but then you're running the risk of spoilers, lol

Thank you to Michael Joseph/Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read this E-ARC.

I loved LJ Andrew's Mist Ever Seas and Broken Kingdom series, so it is no surprise that this is a five star read for me, her writing and ability to create such an in depth world is amazing.

This is a Norse fantasy romance that will tick all the boxes if you are a fan of enemies to lovers, morally grey and touch her and die tropes. Throw in a very overprotective bodyguard with a deadly reputation and forbidden love, it is the perfect concoction!

We are introduced to Lyra who unknowingly has a power (craft) that is being sought throughout the kingdom by the King, and is located by our morally grey MMC Roark. What I love about his character is he is non-verbal and uses his own sign language to communicate, which Lyra picks up very quickly. This isn't a story of instant lust, they are supposed to hate each other and it takes time to build the bond between them. When you understand *tap tap tap* and just melt...

My favourite side character was definitely Prince Thane, cheeky and very clearly caused Roark many headaches over the years. Their close brotherly relationship is just perfect, and I want to see more of him in the next book, I am interested to see how his character progresses after book 1.

LJ's worldbuilding is a masterpiece, and you do have to pay attention at the beginning of the story to understand how everyone's craft works. It may feel overwhelming but it all fits into place quite quickly and makes it so unique.

The last 10% of the story has me needing more, whilst I could foresee part of the plot twist due to hints throughout the story, I definitely didn't expect it all. This is a non-spoiler review so I am not revealing anymore, apart from prepare yourself!

Broken Souls and Bones is being released in UK on 15th May, I cannot recommend this enough!

Tropes:
- Enemies to lovers
- Forbidden love
- Bodyguard
- Hidden identity
- Touch her and die
- Non speaking/sign language representation
- Morally grey
- Found family
- Dual POV

Broken Souls and Bones is an incredibly unique story that melds together the Viking vibes many love, and a dark magic system built from things better left alone. Discovering this world and its many factions of men trying to one-up each other was seamless, proving a dynamic that felt natural though entirely new.

As a fan of LJ already, this book felt like a fresh take on her typical Viking approach, leaning much closer to the likes of Danielle L Jensen’s A Fate Inked in Blood. Slightly unfortunate for me is that I don’t typically love the Viking vibe, but could bypass that with LJs other books as the characters always win me over. With this one…not so much. It leaned heavier on the Viking’s, and I found it a little hard to connect with the characters the same way I usually do. Some of the charm was missing somehow, but in its place was a world vastly expanded and magic much deeper than the usual. So it was a real hit or miss for me, but largely for personal vibe preference - I’m sure this will be one many read and adore.

Broken Souls and Bones is the first book in the Stonegate series.

It is a dark slow burn romantasy with enemies to lovers, found family, secret pasts and magic.

Lyra is the first female Melder in generations.

She has spent years in hiding, however the King discovers her where she is and sends his Sentry, Roark Ashwood to retrieve and protect her, only to have her serve as his personal melder and key to creating his armies.

Lyra and Roark must learn to trust each other while resisting a passion that threatens to consume them.

If you love books that captivate you, and have tension, magic, secrets and romance then you need to read this.

Be prepared it does end on a cliffhanger…

As expected from LJ Andrew’s - so well written. The banter and bond between Lyra and Roark is outstanding. I loved the dual POV switches, and that every character had a distinct personality. This story felt fresh and new and I couldn’t guess where the plot was heading. Also, the sign language representation was incredibly well done and only enhanced the story.

Gosh where do I even begin. After the Ever I wasn’t sure that any new world or characters could capture my heart the way they did but LJ has achieved it again. There is an amazing group of characters and I cannot wait to delve deeper into this world.

Lyra & Roark
Enemies to lovers
Bodyguard
Forced Proximity
Slow burn
Unique Magic System

This is my first book by LJ Andrews so I had no idea what to expect but I really enjoyed this!

This book has such a unique magic system, I'm in awe!

It's full of amazing characters and plot twists!

The first half of the book is a lot of world building and explaining the magic system, which also leads to a delicious slow burn and enemies to lovers at it's finest!

I cannot wait for the next one!

I loved both of the main characters and the slow burn of their relationship. This is the best type of enemies to lovers storyline.

Lyra has everything you want in a FMC. She is strong, kind, knows when she needs help and will always look out for her made family.

Roark is the brooding type. He really gives off the 'touch her and die ' vibes. He is also mute and I love that they use sign language in this book and all his close friends learn it to communicate with him.

The world building is fantastic and you feel you are in those walls!

I didn't see that twist coming at the end. I need book two already!

Oh this is so good, SO good, I absolutely love it! LJ has done it again, it is incredible! New magic system (hello bone/soul/blood magic) a new world but still that perfect immersive Norse/viking feel that she does so well and of course…Roark & Lyra 🖤 A huge thank you to Michael Joseph for this eARC!! LJ is one of my absolute favourite authors and when she announced this new series I knew it would be amazing and it’s everything I hoped for, I was desperate to read this! I may have also been begging the publisher for an arc of this!

The tension, the chemistry, the hidden pasts, a fast paced plot that keeps you guessing and in true LJ style a great found family (gotta love Prince Thane) along with our main characters Roark & Lyra! I think Roark Ashwood is my new favourite MMC, our silent Sentry who is so much more than what he seems…and would burn the world for her. Brooding, deadly, loyal and when he writes his words on her cheek - swoon!! Tap Tap Tap 🖤 LJ writes such great morally grey men, if you loved Erik from The Ever Seas then you will LOVE Roark!

And Lyra, a clouded past, a hidden power and forced into a future she never wanted, slowly being drawn to the very man she should despise. I do love me some enemies to lovers! She’s a great FMC and I can’t wait to see what book 2 brings her! Seriously, I can tell this whole series is going to be amazing!

Tropes
🖤 Enemies to lovers
🖤 Bone/Soul/Blood magic
🖤 Forced proximity
🖤 Touch her and die
🖤 Non Speaking MMC
🖤 Bodyguard
🖤 Vikings

I thought this book was perfectly fine. I have loved LJ Andrews writing through The Broken Kingdom series and The Ever Seas series, but something about her magical writing was lacking in this book to me. While there was nothing wrong with the plot or the writing, I felt as though the characters lacked depth and the FMC lacked motivation to discover more information about her power and was happy to just go with what everybody told her. I also wasn’t shocked by the cliffhanger and its obvious reveals. As I said, it’s fine, just not something that wowed me personally.

I'm sorry, but this book just wasn't for me. I was intrigued by the premise, but the first few chapters had me completely lost - so much exposition of history, geography, magic, names made up of real (ie this world) words... I ended up just confused and frustrated.

I'm sure others will engage more with it, but not my vibe. Apologies.

Great book, the characters are loveable and story is engaging. An enjoyable and engaging read. Story builds up a great world with interesting twists and turns. The writing transports you into the story and the relationships between characters make the story even more engaging and relatable

I don’t even know where to begin with this book—except to say that I absolutely loved it. I was completely obsessed, flying through it in just a couple of days (which is impressive for me as a slow reader). From start to finish, it had me hooked.

The characters were phenomenal—Skul Drek, in particular, stood out as a fantastic and memorable character. I could go on forever about how much I enjoyed this story and how excited I am to see what’s next for these incredible characters.

The book itself was an easy read, but in the best way possible. The alternating points of view between Roark and Lyra kept things fresh and engaging, and every single page captivated me until the very end.

This story felt completely unique, and if you don’t read it, you’re seriously missing out. I haven’t felt this passionate about a book since I first read The Lord of the Rings, and that’s saying something. It took me on an emotional rollercoaster, and at its heart, it really was a wickedly romantic Viking tale that I won’t soon forget.

Amazing gripping fantasy. So many twists and turns to keep you reading. Can't wait for more after this ending on a cliffhanger.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for approving me to read this early, I’m rating it 4.25 stars.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable book with adventure, magic and complex characters. It had a nordic feel for me with the different clans and political elements. The magic is multi layered and the secrets/lore surrounding this was given to us at a nice pace throughout so it didn’t feel like an information overload alongside us learning about the world and the key players of the story.

It had dual POV which is a true favourite of mine as I think it gives us such a well rounded story. This story does have some romance, a little spice and a lot of enemies to lovers tension which was fab.

I cannot wait to read the next book in the story after the build up in book 1 and all that we’ve learnt so far.