This is such a great book!

It took me a little bit of time to get used to all the characters, including who was Eversun and who was Bombardi, but once it got easier I really started to eat this up.

Toven and Briony are such good characters. The flashbacks to them in school and the different incidents between them really helped to build that picture of their connection. Toven was dark and brooding, but so fiercely protective. Briony is strong and resourceful, with such incredible power.

I love the premise of the story, it’s dark and bleak in parts, but really builds a picture of the war at play between these two countries.

The slow burn and tension between Toven and Briony had me grinning so much, it’s very well done. I wanted more of them throughout (in a good way!), and even now I’ve finished the book, I still want more of them. I really can’t wait to see how this develops in the next book. I don’t know how I’m ever going to wait so long for it!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this e-arc

Everything Julie Soto writes is pure gold. In all my reviews I always share that I read her first chapter of her first ever fanfic. That’s how long I’ve followed her work. My biggest disappointment about this book is it will clearly be a series and now I have to wait FOREVER until the next one. Julie - it’s such a joy following your career. Can’t wait for the next one!

There are no thoughts in my brain other than I NEED BOOK TWO RIGHT NOW. Julie Soto you WILL be hearing from my therapist.

This book is about our FMC, Briony Rosewood, who at the start of the book has just lost her twin brother in the war they were actively in. This even capulets her in the new world where she's now being sold to the highest bidder in an auction, along with all her friends and family. This story is a dark fantasy so check the trigger warnings!

From the plot, to the relationship, to the found family there are no flaws in this book, not even one. This was so lush and captivating and dark and delicious - I could go on and on. The magic system in this world is so fucking cool; the mind and heart magic is so descriptive, you're able to imagine it so clearly in your head. I truly don't think I've ever read a book where reading about the characters using magic had me getting goosebumps. I can't wait to see even more about the magic and learn more of the lore in the next books because I just know our main characters are going to become even more powerful and their magic is going to evolve with their character growth.

I need to talk about Julie Soto's phenomenal writing. She's truly a master at her craft because not only was her writing style just amazing, but the way she's able to convey the emotions our characters are feeling is truly a talent. My chest was physically hurting for the majority of the book. The past chapters were woven so beautifully in with the present - I'm usually not a fan of past/present because it always takes me out of the story, but with this they were perfectly placed to give us lore on the world and the characters. I'm just in awe of Ms. Soto.

Toven and Briony are EVERYTHING to me. The yearning!!! The angst!!! The flirting!!! The fact that Toven spent that amount of money, prepared a room and took her to her house, and was always respectful with her before talking to her for god knows how many years it’s crazy. He’s such a kind man - he’s portrayed as her enemy and a "bully", but from these little reactions that he has and how protective and careful he’s with her we can tell he's actually just so soft and sweet. He's just not allowed to be because of the environment and world they live in and I just want to protect him. Julie Soto PLEASE give me a Toven POV chapter, I'll do anything.

My favourite trope of all time is found family and the way Briony got adopted into Toven's family and since day 1 they have always treated her like one of their own is everything. Serena’s and Briony’s relationship is so perfect and I need to see more of them in future book. Also the same with Orion, because he acts like he “doesn’t care", but every time there has been any issues he never blames Briony and he has always looks out for her.

Honestly could keep going and write an essay on how this a perfect book and also just a perfect first book in a trilogy, but I'll refrain. I've preordered both editions of this book and I highly recommend you grab yourself a copy of this book too. Thank you so so so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! (I'll give you my first born for the ARC of the next book please.)

Rose in Chains is the first book in the Evermore Trilogy, which is an adapted and reimagined version of The Auction, a very well loved Dramione fanfiction written by Julie Soto. I haven't read the fanfic yet, so I read this book by itself without comparing it to its other version. This book is a captivating entry into this world where dark forces have triumphed and the prophesied savior has fallen, weaving a tale of magic, intrigue, and forbidden love.

The story centers on Princess Briony Rosewood from Evermore. After her kingdom is overrun and her brother, the heir, is dead, she's stripped of her magic, humiliated and auctioned by her enemies. Things become even more bitter when she becomes property of Toven Hearst, a member of a family notorious for their oppressive control over magic—and someone with whom she shares a complicated past full of unresolved feelings.

Julie Soto's narrative excels in building a dark and immersive world, punctuated by moments of hope and resilience. The richly detailed setting filled with political tension and magical lore may appear overwhelming at first with so many characters and power dynamics, but as you read on, you start to understand everything better, the flashbacks also help to further capture the relationships formed in the past and the high stakes of this world at war. I feel like there's still much to explore in the following books. I'm excited to see where this story will take us.

Our protagonist, Briony, is a strong-willed and resilient woman, shaped by both her royal upbringing and the brutal downfall of her kingdom. She’s intelligent, courageous, and refuses to break under captivity, even when stripped of her magic. Throughout the novel, she struggles with her past failures and the weight of expectations, making her a deeply layered and sympathetic character. One of the things I like most about Briony is the connection she forms with the other captured women from her kingdom and the pressure she feels to save them, while at the same time feeling devastated by finding herself in a much more comfortable and safe position than the others. The moments between her and the other women are incredibly powerful and left me emotional and rooting for everyone to be saved. However, Briony's occasional impulsiveness and emotional turmoil can make her frustrating at times, as she battles between duty, survival, and her conflicted feelings for Toven. But that's what I think makes a great character, she's imperfect and with a lot of room for character development.

Our male protagonist, Toven, is the epitome of the morally gray love interest: dangerous, enigmatic, and burdened by his own dark past. His family’s legacy of power and control makes him an uneasy figure in Briony’s life, but beneath his cold exterior lies complexity and inner conflict. He's neither a traditional villain nor a hero, making his motivations fascinating to unravel. While his position as Briony’s captor creates an uncomfortable power dynamic, his character arc suggests deeper struggles with his own morality, which adds layers to his interactions with her. Toven is by far my favorite character, he's the one who intrigues me the most. He's gray the way I love, because no one is 100% good or 100% bad. He's mysterious and full of secrets that I'm dying to discover. How much he hides of his feelings and thoughts is unwritten. Given that it's a 3rd person perspective book following mainly Briony, we're kept much in the dark in regards to Toven, which contributes to his endless secrets remaining hidden. I'm living to see Toven finally break down his strong walls and lose control a little.

The slow-burn romance between Briony and Toven is both intense and nuanced, exploring themes of power dynamics and consent within their evolving relationship. It's also deeply emotional and the chemistry between them is palpably ardent, layered with history, betrayal, and undeniable attraction. Rather than rushing into romance, the novel allows their relationship to develop organically, making their interactions feel both authentic and compelling. The alternating timelines between past and present add depth to the characters, gradually revealing their motivations and histories. This was a high point for me, we get a lot of character development which makes us understand and connect that much better with them.

The secondary characters are also very interesting and important to the story. There are a lot of characters in this book, but I feel like there are several of them who have their own arcs and clear motives. I was extremely curious to know more about them, like Serena, Orion, Finn, Larissa, the captured girls, the friends who managed to escape, even the villain Mallow. I was interested in everyone and that's an extremely positive point for the story.

Furthermore, Soto’s writing style is engaging, with sharp dialogue and an immersive atmosphere. The tension, both romantic and political, keeps the pages turning, making it easy to become invested in Briony’s journey. I sincerely couldn't put this book down, unless I was forced by life chores.

However, while I felt the pacing of the story was good, sometimes it can feel uneven. The past and present timeline structure is intriguing for me, but at times, it slows down the momentum of the main plot when it appears abruptly after some big thing happened. Some readers may find themselves more invested in one timeline over the other, leading to occasional frustration. It worked for me, but it might not work for everyone.

Additionally, while the romance is well-developed, the power imbalance between Briony and Toven, given that he is, at least initially, her captor, may not appeal to all readers. Julie Soto handles the dynamic with care, ensuring that consent and agency are addressed, but the premise itself leans into a trope that some may find uncomfortable. However, I felt it was very well done in this book and I highly suggest you keep on reading because this dynamic begins to change as Briony and Toven's relationship is developed.

Rose in Chains ends with a cliffhanger and a huge setup for the next book, I sincerely don't know how I'm supposed to move forward while waiting for the next installment because, My God, I need the second book now. The Auction has been on my radar for a long time as a Dramione fan, but I was putting it off until I read The Right Thing To Do and All The Wrong Things first. I must say that I enjoyed Julie Soto's writing and storytelling in this book so much that it makes me excited to to read these fanfics asap and who knows, maybe I'll finally read The Auction afterwards while I wait for the next books in the Evermore Trilogy.

Finally, Rose in Chains is a compelling read for fans of dark Romantasy. Julie Soto delivers a well-written, tension-filled story with rich world-building and complex characters. If you enjoy morally gray love interests, political intrigue, and slow-burn romance with high stakes, this book is worth picking up! This book has everything to be the next hit in the world of Romantasy, ready to stand out even more outside the world of Dramione fanfiction to gather even more fans.

Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | Magpie for providing and approving me to read this ARC!

✨ RATING
- C (characters): 10/10
- A (atmosphere): 9/10
- W (writing): 8/10
- P (plot): 9/10
- I (intrigue): 10/10
- L (logic): 9/10
- E (enjoyment): 10/10
↬ TOTAL: 9.29 = ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

💦 SPICE: 🌶️🌶️

🔖 TROPES:
- Dark Romance
- Enemies to Lovers
- Forbidden Romance
- Forced Proximity
- Protagonist bought at an Auction by love interest
- Slow Burn
- Countries at War
- Heart x Mind Magic Users
- Familiars
- Dramione Vibes
- Found Family

This book is intense, emotional, and completely gripping—I devoured it the moment I got my hands on it through NetGalley. The writing is absolutely stunning, and the slow-burn romance? Perfection. But before you dive in, please make sure to check the trigger warnings at the beginning. They’re really important.
Here’s what the book itself warns about: This work contains explicit sexual content, scenes with gore and violence, and sexual assault of a POV character. Non-consensual sex is referred to, and the buying and selling of human beings into captivity is a core theme of Rose in Chains. Forced sterilization, death of minor characters, and torture are present in this story. For a more detailed list of content warnings, please visit www.juliesotowrites.com.
Now, onto the story.
The villains have already won. The chosen hero is dead. And our main character, Briony, along with countless others, has been captured and sold as a magic source—among other horrors.
She ends up being bought by her nemesis. The same person she’s always hated... but also secretly harbored feelings for. As she fights to survive in this brutal new world, she starts to realize that maybe, just maybe, all hope isn’t lost. Help could come from the most unexpected places.
This isn’t just an enemies-to-lovers story—it’s more like enemies to reluctant allies to… well, let’s just say they’re obsessed with each other, but romance is still a long way off. It’s a trilogy, after all!
- Dark, gritty adult fantasy
- A fascinating magic system based on heart and mind
- and there’s a dragon lurking somewhere in the distance
Huge thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to read this early. If you love high-stakes fantasy with a slow-burning, complicated relationship at its core, you need to pick this up!

Thank you to the author and publishers for allowing me to have an ARC via NetGalley!

This book pulled me in as soon as I read the description and I just knew it would be one I finished quickly. The pacing throughout the book was really fluid and balanced, and the first few chapters really help you to get to grips with various characters and the roles they play. I love a strong FMC who doesn’t need saving, and I love that Briony has such a strong personality. She remains witty throughout the book and this really humanises her as a character. The introductions to other characters in the book is a good balance between providing context, and not giving irrelevant details/fillers. I particularly liked the relationship between the two main characters, and there are multiple tropes that I really enjoy reading about (but shan’t disclose to avoid spoilers). There are some heavy topics within the book but I feel as though these were sensitively handled and were relevant to the story and weren’t just for ‘shock factor’. The world building isn’t too complex and it is easy enough to follow without feeling overwhelmed, and the dialogue flows really well in a way that’s modern but not in a cringy way.
The writing in this book is incredible, and I wish I could erase my memory and read it again!
I wish I could put into words how much I loved this book. I’m going to be anxiously awaiting a sequel (👀)

Rating: 5/5 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

When I received an email confirming that I had been accepted for an ARC of this book I nearly sobbed. I immediately abandoned my current read, (which I was enjoying) to read this book.
The original fan fic was a book that stayed with me a long time, a hauntingly beautiful love story amongst so much sorrow, pain and heartbreak. And I can confirm this book will make you feel the exact same way.
I'm sad to say we will be waiting for a sequel but that epilogue 👀 IYKYK.

What to expect:
🖤 Slow Burn
🖤 Enemies to Lovers? (Not quite in this one)
🖤 Mind & Heart Magic
🖤 Amazing worldbuilding
🖤 War
🖤 Flashback scenes
🖤 Familiars

Please do check trigger warnings here. This book is dark, think The Handmaids Tale dark. After losing the war The Eversuns are auctioned off to be the property of the Bomardi - the women and men sold are used for their bodies and their magic.

For me this book blew me away, I didn't want it to end. The book kept all the scenes we know and love but rewrote them into a completely new and fresh story. The magic system was interesting and complex, the worldbuilding was fleshed out but easy to understand. Julie Soto has a way of building tension between two characters unlike any other.
If you're worried you'll miss the world of The Auction don't be, this is better.

I liked the differences so much, the interesting gender dynamics within each country, the magic system and the differences between them, the Familiars, and the main character Briony being royalty and twin to the King Rory.

I think old fans of the original story won't find this lacking, but neither will the new readers.
I beg of you to READ THIS BOOK. I will rave about it till the end of time. And I'll be dying of impatience till the sequel comes out, I hope we don't have too long to wait.

I’m absolutely not a HP fan so when I heard this was based on a dramione fanfic I was holding my breath but I love Soto’s writing so decided to give it a shot. I’m so glad I did!

The pacing was a bit slow in the beginning but it improved throughout the book. The slow burn is reallyyyyyy slow so be prepared for that. I loved the two main characters and Serena <3 The magic system is also quite unique but intriguing. The story ends on a huge cliffhanger so I can’t wait to read how it all continues!

Thank you to Netgalley for the e-arc. All opinions are my own

I am still so utterly baffled that I actually got an ARC for this book!!! Rose in Chains has completely altered my brain chemistry, and I am officially obsessed. I knew it was going to be amazing, even though I haven’t read The Auction yet (I know, I know—but life happened, okay?!), but now I am absolutely starting it ASAP. The original Dramione-inspired roots are there, the Harry Potter influence is woven in, yet this story stands entirely on its own, offering something fresh, dark, and completely mesmerizing.

Let’s talk about the tension. The yearning. The forced proximity. The slow burn. I am sick over it in the best way possible. Briony and Toven have found a permanent place in my heart—enemies to everything-in-between to lovers? I devoured every moment. Their relationship is frustrating, electric, and deeply emotional, and I was hanging onto every word.

This book has everything I love in a romantasy:
✔ A rich, immersive world – The magic system felt fresh, unique, and deeply ingrained in the world-building.
✔ A plot that keeps you hooked – I literally could not put this down. The pacing was fantastic, and the past/present timelines were executed flawlessly, giving us depth and history without overwhelming info dumps.
✔ Angst for days – The romance is torturous in the best way. It is slow, it is painful, and it is perfect. JULIE SOTO BROUGHT BACK YEARNING, AND I COULD CRY ABOUT IT.
✔ Dark themes and high stakes – This book is not for the faint of heart. It explores difficult, haunting subjects, but through it all, hope shines through.

And that ending?! 🤯 I’m already counting down the days until Book Two. How am I supposed to wait?!

If you’re even considering reading Rose in Chains, add it to your TBR immediately. This is one of the best romantasy books I’ve read in a long time, and I will be screaming about it for the foreseeable future. Thank you NetGalley & Harper Collins UK for this ARC—I am not-so-patiently awaiting the next book!

Now, if anyone needs me, I’ll just be lying on the floor, wallowing that it’s over.

I've loved Julie Soto ever since I read her fanfics. Although this book did not follow the plot of The Auction, it was great. I loved the new magic systems in this book and the plot in general.

The chemistry and slow burn between the lead characters is amazing. I breezed through this book and I already want to read the next book in the series!

Oh my gooooooodddd I could not put this down. I devoured this in little over a day. I was on the edge of my seat through all the twists and turns, filled with angst and hope and stress. I loved this. I want to cry knowing I’ll have to wait so long for the next chapter of this story. 10/10 definitely recommend. This will be the next big romantasy for sure

I’ve never read a single Dramione fanfic in my life, but I’m still intrigued by books inspired by those stories. Rose in Chains lived up to my expectations—while I did notice a few shortcomings, I had a really fun time reading it.

What this book excels at is its inventive magic system. I was a bit worried about it, as this element needed to be distinctly reimagined from its fanfiction origins. Yet, what we get works well. There’s a clear distinction between the types of magic: mind magic and heart magic, each practiced by different groups of people. Both forms of magic are well thought-out, distinct from one another, easy to understand, and carry significant potential for the story.

The plot itself is compelling, even if the story delves into genuinely dark territory. We follow a heroine who appears to have lost everything—her freedom, her loved ones, her country. Naturally, since this is a romantasy, Briony is sold to a man whose carefully crafted image as a brutal killer doesn’t entirely align with the reality of who he is.

The relationship between the main characters, Briony and Toven, is definitely the strongest element of the book for me. We get the classic enemies to lovers dynamic, and the trope is executed brilliantly. I mean—the slow burn is taken to the absolute max, and the tension is so perfectly crafted that Julie Soto deserves a PhD in yearnalism. Some readers might find it frustrating that the book doesn’t offer immediate gratification in the romantic storyline, but come on! This is only the first part of a trilogy. Briony and Toven are on opposite sides of a violent conflict, and he literally bought her at an auction, which technically made her his property. This is intense stuff. You simply can’t rush from enemies to lovers in just 300 pages in a book like this.

On the subject of Briony being sold at auction, it’s important to note that this is far from the only difficult theme in the book. Checking the trigger warnings is essential. There are scenes that gave me chills, and I’m not usually sensitive to dark content in fantasy literature.

While many aspects of the book work well, certain elements, unfortunately, reveal too strongly its roots as fanfiction reworked into an original story.

I think the plot lacks a solid political foundation, particularly in terms of a deeper exploration of the circumstances surrounding the outbreak of war between the two countries. The reason for the conflict between Evermore and Bomard is not really well-defined, so I subconsciously filled in the gaps by referring to the source material from which the fanfiction was derived.

While the relationships and emotions between the characters are well-written, the book falls a bit short when it comes to characterization. I believe the author aimed to strip away the excessive traits of the source material’s characters and infuse them with her own interpretation. While this approach worked well with Toven, it didn’t quite succeed with Briony, who came across as somewhat flat. This issue is even more pronounced with the secondary characters and the main villain, where I often felt compelled to search for their counterparts in the source material to better understand their actions and attitudes.

That being said, the shortcomings of this book don’t take away from the overall enjoyment of reading it. It remains an engaging read, with well-built tension and a dark yet captivating story. The ending is particularly strong, leaving me wishing I could dive straight into the next installment. I’m eagerly awaiting the sequel because, despite its flaws, this book delivered plenty of the elements I love in romantasy.

This book took a much darker turn than I was expecting, creating a gripping and intense atmosphere throughout.

Interesting and twisty character dynamics, however, I found Briony to be a bit dense at times, which made some of her decisions and interactions quite irritating.

That said, the romance between her and Toven was slow-burn done masterfully and filled with tension that made me fly through this.

Overall, I'm excited to see where the story goes next and how the darker elements continue to unfold.

♾️⭐️

JULIE SOTO BROUGHT BACK YEARNING IN BOOKS.

I found a new all time favorite book. this book has consumed me. i don't know where to start and what to say. no words will do this book or how I feel about it justice.

the world building and magic system were so good and so interesting - it has dark elements to it so please check trigger warnings before reading.

the amount of times I had to put my kindle down and take a deep breath or scream into my pillow... toven and briony have my heart and the tension & yearning just made me feel everything all at once.

I'm seriously thinking about starting a reread asap.

what a full circle moment to be reading this as a saturday girl (iykyk 💜) - my roman empire.

The plot was a bit different from the fic which made it more interesting to read. I really liked the pace of the story and how each of the characters’ arc was built throughout the book. Toven and Briony had excellent chemistry and their interactions were so good. I really loved how well the suspenses and plot twists were handled. I definitely cannot wait to read the rest of the series.

I really agonised over writing this review, because honestly my thoughts on the book are so confused. So, hopefully I make sense here.
Overall, I liked this book! I wanted to know what was going on, what was going to happen, how the characters relationships developed. So it kept me turning the pages until the end.
I was not aware that this book was based on a fan fiction going into it, and I have not read the fan fiction this is based on, nor have I ever read any Dramione fan fiction. So this was a totally fresh take for me as I had no knowledge to pull from.
I just don't feel like I knew enough about the background of the plot to be fully invested. I understand the structure of the plot was revealing things as we went along, but I had this overwhelming feeling throughout (and even at the end) that I was supposed to possess a level of knowledge that I did not, and it left me feeling frustrated. Briony also felt far too helpless for me - obviously she's in a really horrible position and is very traumatised, but she failed to ask one very critical and obvious question until the 99% mark of the book and it didn't make sense.
BUT, that being said I will happily pick up the next book. So yeah, this is my confused take.

Thank you so much to HarperCollins UK for the ARC via NetGalley and for giving me the opportunity to share my honest thoughts on the story.

💜ARC Book Review💜
Title: Rose in Chains
Author: Julie Soto
Publication Date: July 03, 2025
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | Magpie for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rose in Chains follows Princess Briony Rosewood, who was taken prisoner when the enemy overran her castle, stripped of her Mind Magic, and put up for auction with the highest bidders. She is sold to Toven Hearst, the scion of a family known for their cruel control of Heart Magic and her long-time and ill-fated infatuation.

As a reader of Dramione fanfiction, I knew going into the book that this story was based on The Auction. I was eager to see how Julie Soto separates Rose in Chains from the original work and gives the story its own unique flair. Soto created an amazing new world and magic system, and it goes without saying that she did a fantastic job. The world-building is superb, the pacing is good, and the plot is well-written and easy to follow.

Told in a dual timeline of the past and present, which aids in setting the scene for the slow development of Toven and Briony's relationship and the enemies-to-lovers dynamic. Soto was aiming for a slow-burn romance, and the right amount of angst, yearning, and tension makes this possible. I can't wait to see where the story takes us, what secrets are exposed, and how Toven and Briony's romance plays out in the upcoming book.

Please read with caution as this story explores dark themes that are heavily centered around women's imprisonment and sexual slavery. Also, be sure to check for trigger warnings. This is not only a story of two people falling in love; it is also a tale of resilience, as several character's fight for their freedom in the face of overwhelming adversity and triumph over trauma.

Anyone who enjoys reading romantasy series with a strong plot and distinctive world building should definitely check this one out.

This was a great read! The plot was really interesting and kept me engaged! It started off with action and the middle set the scene. I'm soooo mad I have to wait for the next one in a year!

I adore Julie Soto, and expected this to be an instant 5 star read. Unfortunately, it wasn't. It was a really good book with fantastic world building and an interesting magic system, but the main romantic couple felt somewhat lackluster, and I felt had minimal chemistry for a lot of the book. There are also lots and lots of unanswered questions - which felt like too many for such a long book - and parts of the plot dragged.

That said, I'd definitely still recommend this book, and overall enjoyed it immensely. I can't wait for the sequel - especially given that ending - but I think my expectations may have just been a bit too high!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Oh wow!! This is the perfect elixir to cure your Quicksilve/ ACOTAR/Fourth Wing hangover.
Rose in Chains is a dark, seductive romantasy that weaves twin bonds, fate, and a thrilling new magic system into something utterly addictive. The tension is sharp as a blade, the romance as intoxicating as a curse. A gripping start to a series that promises danger, desire, and power in equal measure.
Enemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity
A DRAGON!!
I now have a Rose in Chains hangover, send help quick!!