Never the Roses, Jennifer K. Lambert
Never the Roses, Jennifer K. Lambert
List: $26.99 | Sale: $18.89
Club: $13.49

Never the Roses

Author: Jennifer K. Lambert

Series: Never the Roses

Narrator: Chloe Campbell, Shane East

Unabridged: 11 hr 46 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 07/08/2025


Synopsis

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.

About Jennifer K. Lambert

Jennifer K. Lambert lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with her husband of over thirty years, his chocolate-lab assistance dog, two Maine coon cats who assist no one, and plentiful free-range lizards. Her high fantasy novel, Never the Roses, fell on her from out of the sky, became a dream come true – and debuted at #29 on the USA Today Bestseller List. She also writes under the name Jeffe Kennedy, where she is a multi-award-winning and bestselling author primarily in epic fantasy romance, and is a Past-President of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA). She is represented by Sarah Younger of Nancy Yost Literary Agency.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Abbie Toria on July 20, 2025

4.5 stars Never the Roses is such a wonderful standalone high fantasy. I was expecting to enjoy the cosy fantasy vibes, the whimsical nature of the Dream, the imagination of the world, but I did not know that it would then shred my heart to pieces and make me want to sob! Staying with me long afterwa......more

Goodreads review by Valerie on February 15, 2025

Oh, what a delightful surprise this book turned out to be! I picked it up thinking, "This will be good," based on the blurb, but what I found was so much more—I adored it. There’s a delicious mix of quiet rebellion and tender moments tucked into every page. Oneira’s secret visits to Stearanos’ libra......more

Goodreads review by Leanna on May 14, 2025

Never the Roses by Jennifer K. Lambert is easily one of my top reads of the year. What an absolute delight—this book had me chuckling, crying, and completely swept away. The romance is tender, sweet, and unfolds at the perfect pace. I read and listened to the audiobook, and let me tell you—the narra......more

Goodreads review by shaelinslibrary on June 06, 2025

I think my heart just broke into a million pieces??? First, thank you TOR publishing for the early copy in exchange for an honest review! This was a cozy fantasy with such a sweet vibe, about a forbidden love between the most powerful sorcerer and sorceress in this world, and where harmless teasing st......more

Goodreads review by Nyah on June 13, 2025

I have mixed feelings about this book. It was good, yes, but there were parts I didn't like. For instance, Tristan. I did not like Tristan. Another example would be Tristan. Hated his guts. For my third example, I would like to mention Leskai, also known as Tristan, whom I wished had died. The book......more


Quotes

"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.

"Both ethereal and sensuous—and with a story as arresting as its pink-pebbled beaches and lavender roses, Jennifer K. Lambert's Never the Roses 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 Doomsday Book and The Road to Roswell

"Jennifer Lambert has created a world and characters every reader of epic fantasy will love and reread time and time again." —Grace Draven, USA Today bestselling Author of Radiance.

Never the Roses is never anything less than enchanting.” —Jennifer Estep, New York Times bestselling author of the Crown of Shards and Gargoyle Queen series

"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. Never the Roses delivers a lyrical feast for the imagination." —Charissa Weaks, author of the Witch Walker Series

"Masterfully crafted, Never the Roses 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, New York Times bestselling author of Poison Study

"I just love a good epistolary romance, and the debut novel by Jennifer K. Lambert, Never the Roses, delivers. Readers are in for a treat." —Melinda M. Snodgrass, author of the Imperials & Carolingian series