Never the Roses

By: Jennifer K. Lambert

Narrated by: Chloe Campbell, Shane East

The most powerful sorceress in all the world comes face to face with her greatest rival in this enchanting and seductive fantasy romance debut from Jennifer K. Lambert.

The Dread Sorceress Oneira has retired. She’s fought and won endless wars for her ambitious queen and has finally exiled herself, seeking peace in a remote forest where the mountains meet the beach. There, in the peculiar company of a wolf, a kestrel, and a cat, she comes to accept that her death would be the beginning of a better world.

But she has one last curiosity to satisfy.

Oneira makes a reckless trip from her hidden fortress to the most extensive library in existence: the collection of her most powerful rival, the sorcerer Stearanos.

Perhaps at the behest of fate, a book on rare roses catches her eye. With little to lose, she steals it and returns to her self-imposed exile. As the subject takes root, she initiates a forbidden correspondence with her once-enemy. Taunting notes and clever retorts reveal a connection neither has found―nor could ever find―in any other.

But Oneira soon learns that Stearanos, bound to a vile king, is called to war against the queen she once served.

A relationship with him is far too dangerous to pursue despite their mutual desire―and yet, Oneira can’t seem to stay away. A bond with the only person who’s ever really understood her is too tempting to ignore.

But not all dreams were meant to come true and not all budding romance blooms.

Exquisitely crafted and bewitchingly lyrical, Never the Roses is like Circe by Madeline Miller meets The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent.

A Macmillan Audio production from Bramble Books.

©2025 Jennifer K. Lambert (P)2025 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Such an extraordinary novel! Full of unexpected love, magic, heartbreak, and healing, it completely stole my heart! I absolutely loved it!"—Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop

"Absolutely exquisite. Never the Roses is a stunning entry into the realm of romantasy with a broken yet fiercely powerful heroine, a hero who will wend his way into your heart and set up camp, and a story you will not be able to stop reading until you have savored every delicious word. No, really. Every. Delicious. Word."—Darynda Jones, New York Times bestselling author of the Charley Davidson Series

"Every time I think that the borders of fantasy cannot be stretched, Jeffe Kennedy proves me wrong."—Maria Vale, award-winning author of The Legend of All Wolves series and Molly Molloy and the Angel of Death.

Really good

The book started off slow but after a few chapters I couldn’t put it down and I was in love with it

Great.😊

This was a fun read, kinda felt like a fantasy romcom. It is floaty, whimsical, and entertaining with a bit of drama. The male narrator speaks a bit softly but understandable, I really liked the female narrator, very easy to listen to.
Overall I loved this story, I think there may be a second book and I really hope so, looking forward to it.

A beautiful story

Love love loved this book! A beautiful story about finding love. Read beautifully! Loved that both a man and women read the book to give us the true feeling of who was who♥️