Never the Roses by Jennifer K. Lambert

Title: Never the Roses

Much thanks to Jennifer K. Lambert, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honereorient.

Reading this book is like the slow, langorous dream it often describes. Don’t read it expecting action and epic battles; it’s very literary and introspective. Character driven, not plot.

It doesn’t have much of a hook, at least not one I can recall; there was so much exposition in the beginning that I didn’t pay much attention until Oneira started visiting Stearanos. Less exposition followed that point, but the pace never really picked up. It takes its time and won’t be rushed.

It’s not my typical kind of book, I need action and banter and would prefer not to have to think too hard, but something about the writing was mesmeric. I’m not even sure if I actually liked the story or not, but I do know I found it compelling af.

Stearanos went from pissed off to in love a bit too easily; upon finally meeting face to face, he and Oneira acted too comfortably with each other, not like they were pretty much strangers. But that wasn’t until after the halfway point, so they didn’t have time to waste dating. I did love their love story, rushed as it might have been–yes, I do see myself saying this book was slow and rushed at the same time.

Let me put it another way–the plot points were far between at the start, then became closer and closer together toward the end. Or at least it felt like that. I’d call it a slow burn except that implies an eventual explosion, and there was no explosion. It was a status quo until Oneira finally sighed a figurative “all right then” and took quiet, decisive action.

A deeper exploration of the magic system would have been interesting, it’s not typical.

I don’t know if the end was meant to tease a sequel or was just deliberately open-ended, but I kinda hated it. I need solid HEAs. But it wasn’t about the romance, it was about Oneira finding peace. Bah.

The chapter from Tristan’s POV was unnecessary, and honestly his entire character and purpose was ultimately superfluous. He served as a contrast to Stearanos, but an unnecessary one.

I’m not sure what the purpose of the animal friends was, they were just there. Their import was lost on me.

The narrators, Chloe Campbell and Shane East, were both superb and well cast to the material.

I’ve rambled enough . . . I still feel like I’m in the book’s thrall. Very dreamy. I feel like this book was deeper and more laden with meaning than I care to explore, so apologies if a lot’s gone over my head. Now I need to shake my head like a cartoon character and get reoriented to reality.