A review by plottrysts
Never the Roses by Jennifer K. Lambert

4.0

This is a contemplative novel about two sorcerers forced to use their magic in service to their sovereigns in battle. They've never faced each other because their countries used them in a sort of mutually assured destruction strategy. But as this book opens, Oneira has managed to pay off her debt and has retired to a secluded house where she spends a part of every day decorating her funeral bier. (So she's dealing with some PTSD, OK? At least she's not massacring civilians anymore...)

But as the months go by, maybe she's healing a bit; maybe she's making friends with her nemesis, Stearanos. Maybe MORE than friends...

ROMANCE READERS BE WARNED: this is a tragedy, not a romance. (Although the tragic end is maybe a tiny bit ambiguous?) I did really like the book, which surprised me a bit since there's not a ton of plot. If you are more of a fantasy reader than a romance reader, or if you're one of those people who argues that romantasy doesn't need an HEA, then I think you'd like this one.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.