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Never the Roses

by Jennifer K. Lambert

A forbidden correspondence between former rivals

Bestseller
Regular price $26.78 USD
Regular price $44.64 USD Sale price $26.78 USD
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Hardcover New English

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Awards & Recognition

  • Bestseller

    USA Today bestseller

AlbakiReads Editorial

A forbidden correspondence between former rivals

After years of war, sorceress Oneira has withdrawn to a remote forest, but a visit to her rival Stearanos’s vast library disrupts her retirement. A stolen book about rare roses sparks an exchange of notes between the former enemies, complicating their past rivalry with mutual desire. Their connection faces a larger danger when Stearanos, bound to a king, is called to fight the queen Oneira once served. The setup brings romantic tension into a conflict shaped by old loyalties, power, and the risks of choosing a former enemy.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Fantasy-romance readers interested in former rivals drawn into a relationship.
  • Readers who enjoy forbidden love alongside wars, royal loyalties, and sorcery.
  • Readers looking for a romance framed by correspondence and a shared interest in rare roses.

Themes

Rivalry and attractionForbidden loveLoyalty and political conflictRetirement after war

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

A USA TODAY BESTSELLER!

DELUXE EDITION―featuring beautiful stenciled edges, stylish endpapers, a foil casestamp and a detailed map.


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.

"Just beautiful. It's beautifully written. Academic, intellectual, poetic... it's everything." --Katherine Heigl on #booktok

The Dread Sorceress Oneira has retired.
She's fought and won endless wars and has finally exiled herself to a remote forest where the mountains meet the beach.

But with one last curiosity to satisfy, Oneira makes a reckless trip to the most extensive library in existence: the collection of her most powerful rival, the sorcerer Stearanos.

There, she steals a book on rare roses, inadvertently initiating 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.

When Stearanos, bound to a vile king, is called to war against the queen she once served, Oneira knows a relationship with him is far too dangerous to pursue despite their mutual desire.

And yet, Stearanos is far too tempting to ignore...

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

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Customer reviews

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AlbakiReads
Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

T
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Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

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AlbakiReads
Olivia

Smooth.