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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to NetGalley, Jennifer K. Lambert, and Macmillan Audio for the ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
5 stars
The audiobook is well done. I felt like Chloe Campbell and Shane East did an excellent job performing these characters. I highly recommend listening to this one or immersing yourself in the reading.
4.75 stars
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this story. The comparison to Circe made me think it would get pretty dark. While it did have dark moments, its overall tone was cozy. It felt like cozy fantasy romance. I adored this story. I know I will re-read this one again. I was captivated by Oneira’s story. I would have loved more details about the world-building and Oneira's backstory. Her story is touching on her and there, but I feel that it would have brought more emotions out if I had heard more of her story. Stearanos was a great MMC. I liked how he knew how to treat her. He understands her on a level that no other person will be able to understand. That ending…..???
5 stars
The audiobook is well done. I felt like Chloe Campbell and Shane East did an excellent job performing these characters. I highly recommend listening to this one or immersing yourself in the reading.
4.75 stars
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this story. The comparison to Circe made me think it would get pretty dark. While it did have dark moments, its overall tone was cozy. It felt like cozy fantasy romance. I adored this story. I know I will re-read this one again. I was captivated by Oneira’s story. I would have loved more details about the world-building and Oneira's backstory. Her story is touching on her and there, but I feel that it would have brought more emotions out if I had heard more of her story. Stearanos was a great MMC. I liked how he knew how to treat her. He understands her on a level that no other person will be able to understand. That ending…..???
ARC and ALC review
Publication date 08 Jul 25
“Never the Roses” by Jennifer K. Lambert is a romantic fantasy.
Thank you Pan Macmillan and Macmillan Audio for the ARC and ALC (via Netgalley).
Opinions from this review are completely my own.
The cover and description of the book convinced me to read it.
Oneira is a retired sorceress that is tired of fighting in the war.
But she gets bored and decided to make trip to the library of her most powerful rival, sorcerer Stearanos.
The story's pace is slow, but it did not bother me. There is a rivals to lovers romance that starts through notes.
I liked both characters and their story. Especially Oneira, had a good development.
Her magic was also interesting and the overall plot. This is a well written book.
It was a good experience reading the e-book while listening to the audio.
When possible, this is my preferred way of enjoying a book.
It is a nice feeling and helps me immerse in the story, especially if it is a fantasy.
The audiobook is narrated in dual style by Chloe Campbell and Shane East.
I did not listen to any other books narrated by Chloe Campbell, but I think that she was perfect as Oneira.
She managed to keep me captivated in the story and brought the characters to life.
I think Shane East's voice was great as Stearanos and I am glad that he narrates more fantasy books.
Overall this was a nice, emotional and magic book.
Publication date 08 Jul 25
“Never the Roses” by Jennifer K. Lambert is a romantic fantasy.
Thank you Pan Macmillan and Macmillan Audio for the ARC and ALC (via Netgalley).
Opinions from this review are completely my own.
The cover and description of the book convinced me to read it.
Oneira is a retired sorceress that is tired of fighting in the war.
But she gets bored and decided to make trip to the library of her most powerful rival, sorcerer Stearanos.
The story's pace is slow, but it did not bother me. There is a rivals to lovers romance that starts through notes.
I liked both characters and their story. Especially Oneira, had a good development.
Her magic was also interesting and the overall plot. This is a well written book.
It was a good experience reading the e-book while listening to the audio.
When possible, this is my preferred way of enjoying a book.
It is a nice feeling and helps me immerse in the story, especially if it is a fantasy.
The audiobook is narrated in dual style by Chloe Campbell and Shane East.
I did not listen to any other books narrated by Chloe Campbell, but I think that she was perfect as Oneira.
She managed to keep me captivated in the story and brought the characters to life.
I think Shane East's voice was great as Stearanos and I am glad that he narrates more fantasy books.
Overall this was a nice, emotional and magic book.
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dual Narration - Shane East & Chloe Campbell
Fabulous voices. Very well narrated
Romantasy
This books cover is what drove me to want to listen. Then I saw who narrates and the description and I was even more intrigued.
The book is definitely in the slower side but it is beautifully written and a captivating story. The author wrote a beautiful world these characters live in. Magical and romantic. I enjoyed this. I would definitely recommend to all my fantasy readers/listeners.
Fabulous voices. Very well narrated
Romantasy
This books cover is what drove me to want to listen. Then I saw who narrates and the description and I was even more intrigued.
The book is definitely in the slower side but it is beautifully written and a captivating story. The author wrote a beautiful world these characters live in. Magical and romantic. I enjoyed this. I would definitely recommend to all my fantasy readers/listeners.
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
When I started this I wasn’t really sure about it. Thrown into a world that made little sense, but I’m glad I continued. This story is hauntingly beautiful, a mix of tragedy and whimsy woven into something new and unique. The prose is poetic and the imagery captures the world of dreams perfectly. It turned out to be a great read.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book is slow, I put it down several times and almost dnf it. But I’m so glad I stuck with it. About 1/2 way through the book really comes together. I love the dynamic between the characters. I need more of this story immediately.
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Initial Thoughts: Interesting, but a slow book. I think this is going to get positioned as a romantasy, but it's really not. In many ways, it's an interior book asking questions about what it means to be powerful but be bound to the whims of someone else, what it means to use your power for harm and whether you can be forgiven, etc. It's a look inside the mind of older, powerful magic workers who do not fully own their actions. It was a third of the way through the book before I was particularly invested, however. The start is slow and has a lot of world building that ultimately seems irrrelevant. There are three magical, legendary animals who are also mostly irrelevant, which is weird. I enjoyed the book overall, and it's a bit different, but I think many people will be confused that it's not the romantasy they were expecting.
slow-paced
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thank you to the author and publisher for the advance copy of this book! Never the Roses is a perfect, mostly closed-door romantasy, with writing that is like a breath of fresh air. It's poetic, intelligent, haunting, authentic, romantic, and every other good adjective I can think of. I read this book in three sittings, after being in a severe reading slump. This book then put me in a deeper reading slump, because the characters were so well fleshed out, seemed like real people, and the writing was melodic and beautiful. My first 5 star book in months and months. My only quibble is that I'd prefer more spice for my taste, but I don't take away from the book for that. I'll buy the copy of this book when it is released and recommend it to all my friends. Beautifully, well done.