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] fresh take on enemies to lovers that will have readers swooning. A must-add for any romantasy shelf.” —Booklist, starred review

Expect:
- Rivals to lovers
- Forbidden love
- Slow burn
- Starcrossed lovers
- Tragic romance
- Dark past
- Redemption
- Unexpected ending

A Macmillan Audio production from Bramble Books.

Critic reviews

<p>"Such an extraordinary novel! Full of unexpected love, magic, heartbreak, and healing, it completely stole my heart! I absolutely loved it!" —Sarah Beth Durst, <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author of <i>The Spellshop</i><br><br>"Absolutely exquisite. <i>Never the Roses</i> 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, <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author of the Charley Davidson Series<br><br>"Every time I think that the borders of fantasy cannot be stretched, Jeffe Kennedy proves me wrong." —Maria Vale, award-winning author of <i>The Legend of All Wolves series and Molly Molloy and the Angel of Death</i>.<br><br>"Both ethereal and sensuous—and with a story as arresting as its pink-pebbled beaches and lavender roses, Jennifer K. Lambert's <i>Never the Roses</i> is a fantasy as seductive (and dangerous) as the Dream through which it often wanders. An absorbing read!" —Connie Willis, Nebula and Hugo-Award winning author of <i>Doomsday Book </i>and <i>The Road to Roswell</i><br><br>"Jennifer Lambert has created a world and characters every reader of epic fantasy will love and reread time and time again." —Grace Draven, <i>USA Today</i> bestselling Author of <i>Radiance.</i><br><br>“<i>Never the Roses</i> is never anything less than enchanting.” —Jennifer Estep,<i> New York Times</i> bestselling author of the Crown of Shards and Gargoyle Queen series<br><br>"Step into an enchanting tale filled with heartache, mystery, a lush and vibrant world, and the slow burn delight of two compelling characters at war with desire. <i>Never the Roses</i> delivers a lyrical feast for the imagination." —Charissa Weaks, author of the Witch Walker Series<br><br>"Masterfully crafted, <i>Never the Roses</i> will entice you with its lyrical narration, powerful characters, and magical enchantments. Beware, it'll also capture your heart with its sharp thorns." —Maria V. Snyder, <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author of <i>Poison Study</i><br><br>"I just love a good epistolary romance, and the debut novel by Jennifer K. Lambert, <i>Never the Roses</i>, delivers. Readers are in for a treat." —Melinda M. Snodgrass, author of the <i>Imperials & Carolingian series</i></p>

Stunning

Such an elegant listen. I finished in five days. The voices were perfect for the book.

That Ending!

This story has more emotion than I was expecting. It hit me right in the feels. There's grief and guilt

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♥️

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

Story is over but I’m still waiting for it to start.

It’s exceedingly rare when I feel like I am owed my credits back for a story but this is definitely one of them.
The lack of a HEA I can live with but the story never went anywhere. It’s like it was still laying the base and suddenly the FMC is dead and the MMC is visiting her roses. Like COME ON. At least go to the afterlife and haul her back because this was ridiculous.

Not interesting

This was very slow and not what I wanted I got through maybe the first two chapters only

What did I just read

After 10 hours of world building, we finally get into the story with only 2 hours left. It’s briefly good and then the book ends in 7 minutes with the worst ending I’ve ever heard. 0% recommend