Vices and Virtues

by Alexis L. Menard

The #BestofBookTok author of House of Bane and Blood is back with an original standalone romantasy where a witch resurrects a centuries-old con man to help defeat an evil god, only to uncover secrets about their own ill-fated past lives and . . . love.

The Cycle always repeats itself. Why would this one have a different ending?

The Past: Osric Hale lives, steals, and commits all his vices under the ruthless sun of Sol-Trabes. After completing corrupted contracts for good coin, he’s almost saved enough to pay for a new life somewhere else. When his last job goes wrong, he’s tasked with finding a missing Divine with a woman who hates him—or face eternity in a crypt. Everything changes when the job for a lifetime ends in the death of the Sun King. Osric loses his life, the woman he loves, and from his failure, the realm is left stuck in Night.

The Present: Desiree Darrow needs to end the Eternal Night to stop her sister from dying under service to the Night Queen. But to do this, she needs the help of a man who died over a hundred years ago. As a Soul Summoner, she raises Osric Hale from the dead to help her find the Sun King, set his soul free, and restart the Cycle. But old betrayals and secrets are resurrected with him, challenging the path ahead.

As the past and present converge, Des discovers a centuries-old connection between her and Osric, and an ancient evil that has endured just as long. The past repeats itself, but the Cycle must be broken. Desiree and Osric will have to face their greatest sacrifice yet to bring back the Sun.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance, Adult, Romance

Unknown Binding

Expected publication November 24, 2026

About the author

Alexis is a registered nurse based out of Louisiana where she lives with her husband, toddler, and two oversized dogs. She enjoys long walks through the Renaissance Fair, reading smutty romance into the dark hours of the night, and wine nights with her "Finer Things Club." She hopes to enrich the lives of her readers with worlds they can both escape in and take with them long after the final chapter.

Reviews

[vxmpslibrary [hiatus] · Rating 3 out of 5]

.3.25 stars.
- mini review.

when I saw the premises I was soo hooked!! I find myself looking forward to the characters to know about their story more. The world building was fascinating and I did found myself in love with it. However idk how dumb I was that I didn't realise it was a STANDALONE even though it is so widely mentioned but yeah stupid me lol. The romance was kinda love at first sight and I liked the characters too. The ending however, I WANTED MORE! i cannot believe it ended so quickly.

🫧Thank you Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this amazing arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prologue. The damn prologue. Absolutely heartbreaking. So beautifully written. I’ve read almost every book by Alexis L. Menard and I go into them knowing that the writing itself will never disappoint me.

“Everything was alive and bright and beautiful. A perfect day to be executed.” Can I just say how in love I am with Osric. How much I feel for him and his story trough his dual timelines.

“Our evil against the kind who conceal their own behind virtuous robes.” It’s very hard for me to limit my quotes usage because I truly do not want to spoil anything of the story. I don’t even want to talk about the romance because, as a story of reincarnation and dual timelines, this is my absolute obsession. Nothing has more yearning to me than “together through every lifetime”. But what made this book absolutely special is how well the prose just elevated the story in itself. I am beyond impressed. I liked the author before but this particular book, something happened here. It’s so beautiful and heart wrenching and utterly addictive.

“Old enough to die for my realm and yet too young to drink. How does that make sense?”

Side eye. Just saying.

So it’s the next day. I finished this last night and I was a mess. I think I cried for the last 20%. The story was incredible. I honestly did not think I could feel this much from one book. The balance between world building, romance and action was flawless. If you read one book this fall, let it be this one. The payoff at the end was everything.

To me, it’s a masterpiece that I will think about over and over again. I wish there was more 😭

Thank you Netgalley for the earc!

[Shannon Mungo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! Just wow!!! As someone who reads alot of fantasy/romantasy this one truly feels unique.

I stayed up all night reading this because it was so good, it sucked me and I just couldnt put it down.

This is one of the most romantic books I have read in a while! I loved every second of this book.

We get two timeliness, and the past definitely effects the future timeline and is stuff you need to know, but also want to know.

I am truly blown away by this book. With the amount of world building I cant believe this is a standalone...im also sad that its a standalone because I want more in this world.

I dont know what it is about her writing but it is so good and feels like poetry. She has a way that makes me see every detail of the world like im there with the charcters.

Omg the characters, I fell in love with them, so perfectly written.

If your looking for a dark romance standalone look no further, this is absolute perfection. I cant wait to see what she writes in the future.

If you cant tell by now, i loved every second of this book, and I cant wait to buy a physical copy!

[kelseys.inthelibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A breathtaking standalone romantasy that completely stole my heart.

If you love stories with an 'I’ve loved you through lifetimes' vibe, reincarnation, soulmates, and gods meddling in mortal lives, this is it.

Our FMC is a necromancer who unknowingly brings her soulmate back from the dead, only to discover that their love has been caught in a cruel cycle. Lifetime after lifetime, the gods conspire to keep them apart.

The romance is beautifully written! I was completely invested in their love story and found myself rooting for them through every devastating twist. The emotional weight of their connection made this impossible to put down, and the ending left me in all my feels.

Heartbreakingly romantic, atmospheric, and full of longing, a gorgeous standalone that will transcend lifetimes. 😉 I loved every minute of it and highly recommend!

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ That prologue hooked me!


This world was very unique and the magic system was unlike anything I’ve read recently. Day and Night. I did get confused on the world building. I’m unsure if I ever understood it 😅

I loved the MCs.

I usually don’t mind alternating timelines and switching between past and present-but I did get confused a bunch and forgot if I was in the past or the present.


Overall, I really enjoyed this despite some flaws.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A life of a broken cycle of Eternal Night where you’re forbidden to see the dawn or the sun. Souls bound to a Sun God. A vow that was broken between the Sun and Moon Gods now seeking to end the lunar cycle to bring back the Day.

Wow! I am speechless and stunned of how well this dark fantasy standalone that Alexis created that felt divine. Powerful and ancient with a broken cycle where souls will find each other in another lifetime. Reborn and free from a final vow. This story felt so fresh and unique!

I laughed, my heart ached, and I felt for these characters that Alexis created that wove together perfectly. She never disappoints when it comes to her storytelling and Vices & Virtues is worth staying up late for!

Des & Osric were bound for each other. More than just fate and their future, but they share a bond and obligation that you’ll learn between the dual timelines. They share blood drawn for each other. He drank from her flesh like it was a drug. Bending to her will. Giving him unwanted thoughts. The way he will speak to her down the bond while he drank from her was pure delicious and desirable. It had me kicking my feet in the air!

“If she wasn’t an angel, she was the envy of them.” 🥹

His laugh was inescapable to her meanwhile he found her laugh as a sign of freedom that made him feel warm. Her soul is bound to death. She’s just as corrupted as Osric which makes them a beautiful tragic pair.

“A monster he might be, but she had crafted him too exquisitely to not acknowledge he was objectively handsome from head to toe.”

I loved the details of necromancy and the resurrection of raising a soul to break this cycle, but it comes at a cost to bring back the Day. Like this quote killed me and made me love Osric so much more 😩 “Why should I care about their souls? No one cared about mine.” Literally so sad!

I’m sad that I finished this so fast and so grateful that Forever sent me the widget early! This story will hit you deep, feeling every beauty, the layered world building, experiencing where love hurts, the betrayal, and that everything comes at a cost. Beautifully done, Alexis! I can’t wait to see what you have in stores next! 🖤

[Emily McQuilkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d give this 4.5! I really enjoyed this ARC. It was unique and special. A love across lifetimes. It was a story that you wan to read slowly and savor because you don’t want it to end while simultaneously being unable to put it down!!

[Deirdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an eARC from Forever Publishing via NetGalley and this is my honest review.

- ☝️standalone
- ✌️dual POV
- ⏰dual timeline
- 🧟‍♂️soulmancy
- 🐦‍🔥reincarnation
- ❤️reluctant allies to lovers
- 🔥flirty sexual banter
- 🩸blood giving
- 💫soul mates
- 💕I’ll find you in every lifetime
- 🫂 forced proximity
- ❌betrayal

Alexis’ best book yet!!! The love story and all the quotes I highlighted ❤️❤️❤️❤️

This book was a perfectly paced standalone that kept me invested from beginning to end. This was a romance focused book set in a fantasy world with a complex magic system and rich world building. The story follows the same two main characters across two separate timelines, weaving together an emotional love story. The two timelines in this book had them start as reluctant allies that developed into lovers due to having to work together to solve a mystery and other big problems that were thrown their way. The forced proximity was on par!

This world was incredibly layered, unique, and changed overtime, while many pieces remained the same. The identity of the true antagonist shifted throughout the story and kept me guessing. There were meaningful sacrifices and heartbreaking losses. Alexis revealed answers at exactly the right pace, constantly leaving me with new questions and making it impossible to predict how everything would come together.

The story alternated between the MFC's POV in the present day and the MMC's POV 100 years earlier. Each chapter revealed just enough information before shifting timelines, creating a perfect balance of mystery and anticipation. I always wanted "just one more chapter."

One of my favorite parts early on was the banter between the MMC and his friends. I found myself laughing and smiling almost immediately. Alexis created such a believable group of friends who genuinely loved each other, constantly making questionable decisions, joking through dangerous situations, and somehow always finding a way out together. Their camaraderie added so much heart to the story.

The romance also stood out because of how refreshing the characters were. In the present timeline, the MFC immediately told the MMC exactly who she was and what she wanted from him. No manipulation, unnecessary secrets, games, or endless miscommunication, just honest, straightforward communication. It was such a welcome change from a trope that's become far too common in fantasy romance. I also appreciated the MMC's respect for the MFC. When he ended up with her knife, he simply gave it back instead of using it as an excuse to threaten or control her. That small moment said so much about his character. That said... there were definitely plenty of moments where I wanted to shake him and yell, "Just tell her already!" Overall, these MC’s were mature, which is what I crave in a book.

The worldbuilding deserves special recognition. It's becoming increasingly difficult to create something that feels genuinely original in fantasy and romantasy, but Alexis managed to do exactly that. While there are familiar tropes that many readers love, the overall world, magic, and mythology felt fresh and distinct. The plot had such a great mix of mystery, puzzles to solve, and hoops to jump through. It blended perfectly with the romance!

One aspect I thought was especially clever was that readers understood something about the relationship long before the MFC did. It would have been easy to think she should have figured everything out sooner or to become frustrated that the MMC wasn't being more direct. Instead, both choices made complete sense. Why would she immediately connect events spanning a century? She never believed in soul mates, why would she think that magically now? And from the MMC's perspective, he wanted her to have the chance to choose a life without after everything that had happened in their previous life together. No matter, they were drawn together, all of which created incredible tension. Watching him carefully navigate what he knew while she remained unaware had me completely invested.

One example that perfectly illustrated this occurred in the current timeline when they were being interviewed for temporary entry into the city. The MMC muttered that he never expected the MFC to wait for him after learning how many partners she'd had before they were together (in that lifetime), and commented that he wanted to hurt the people who touched what would always be his (her). On the surface, it sounded possessive. But as readers, we understood he's mourning the century they spent apart after his death and referring to their soulmate bond, not the fabricated backstory they're telling during the interview. Moments like this added so much emotional depth because readers understood the true meaning behind his words while the MFC did not.

Another highlight was the chemistry. I absolutely love flirty banter with plenty of sexual tension, and this book delivered consistently. Their interactions were playful, witty, and incredibly entertaining.

The relationship in the past timeline was equally satisfying. The MMC knew the MFC was hiding something significant... and simply accepted that she had her reasons. He respected her privacy instead of demanding answers. It was such a mature, refreshing dynamic.

I also loved that the past version of the MFC was never portrayed as a damsel in distress. She was powerful, capable, and more than willing to defend herself physically and verbally. As their relationship developed, she also showed meaningful emotional growth by recognizing that she'd been pushing him away, owning that behavior, and ultimately choosing to move their relationship forward herself. I loved watching that progression and I loved watching her take control (if you know what I mean!).

Overall, the romance was beautifully done. Seeing the same couple fall in love across two timelines gave the relationship more emotional weight and made every payoff that much more satisfying.

The twists kept coming throughout the second half of the book. One at around 63% completely caught me off guard. Then another at 66% shocked me all over again. I suspected something was coming, but not that. From that point on, the story kept unraveling one revelation after another, and I ended up reading the final 30% in one sitting because I couldn't put it down.

The ending was absolutely PERFECT. I finished the book with the biggest smile on my face.

I also appreciated one of the underlying themes. To me, the story explored the idea that people deserve the freedom to live according to their own values rather than having every aspect of their lives dictated by religion or other high-control systems. At the same time, it showed that living by personal choice doesn't mean living without morals or community. People can choose kindness, loyalty, sacrifice, and support one another because those are values they genuinely hold, not because they're being controlled. I found that message thoughtful and surprisingly powerful.

Critique:

My biggest critique is one I've mentioned in several reviews: repetitive phrasing. This book used variations of "licked my/his/her lips" over 20 times. After a while it became distracting. I really wish editors, alpha readers, or beta readers would flag repeated phrases like this before publication because they begin to pull me out of the story.

[Daniela M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what I want out of Romantasy! This book had everything that I wanted, and it’s a standalone! Tropes that I HATE were in this book and I was eating them up because they were done so well. The execution was really top notch.

The sun king has been killed, the sun is no longer in the side. People with light magic are being hooked up to machinery and being drained of their life force to power artificial light throughout the city. Our FMC Desiree’s sister is one of these people. Worried that her sister will fall dead one day from being overworked, Desiree decides to use her power of necromancy to resurrect her world’s worst villain: the man who killed the sun king. Striking a bargain with our MMC, he will take her to the lost body of the sun king for her to resurrect, and she will take his body to a final resting place. However, not all is as it seems.

We have two timelines in this narrative: the present-day narrative with Des and Osric going to find the sun king’s body, and the past 100 years ago that led to Osric becoming the villain of everyone’s story and killing the sun king. Typically, with a duel timeline narrative one of the timelines can become a drag and take the reader out of the story, but I did not feel this way at all with this book. I was equally invested in both timelines and plots. The characters were handled so well, and I wanted to know what would happen next.

We even have an aphrodisiac trope in this book and I didn’t hate it! Who am I?! Now, I didn’t love it… but it didn’t make me roll my eyes, so progress! I think this is because of the way that it was handled. The aphrodisiac isn’t used as a crutch to force sexual tension onto these characters. There is already a lot of that coming naturally, and the aphrodisiac is a minor part of that. I believed in their love story and how these two could fall in love with one another because the characters had genuine chemistry.

One thing I will say though is that I had no idea what kind of world we are in. For the majority of this I’m thinking generic medieval Europe, but then we hear about guns, so then I’m thinking Victorian England? The world building was lacking in scenery a bit, but the storyline and magic was not. So, if you don’t need to be fully invested in the visuals of where you are, this isn’t a huge issue with the book.

Overall, this was a romantasy that I loved. I felt the character’s concerns and their love for one another. I was rooting for them, and I wanted to know what happened to them to make them the way they are. It’s not perfect; the relationship between the sisters could have been more fleshed out to make me believe in Des’s quest. But if we are going to base this off of the romance mostly, then this did a great job at building that.

Thank you NetGalley, Alexis Menard, and the publishers for the ARC!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is now an author to look out for in the future. She's given us a pretty good world with a decently fleshed out magic system. Not too many things seem to be left in the air lol even the bathrooms.

By the title you can tell this is xtian coded, and the story begs you to question if some vices are worth eternal misery, or if everyone should be given a second chance. I'm just going to focus on a few keys parts since other reviews went into detail about the main plot. To me the romance part feels forced as does the sharing of deep dark secrets. It's still a 4star read for me which is great since the highest I go is 5stars.

The way that souls are reincarnated or not in this world is new and interesting. We only get a small look into their world due to the quest at hand, and we get a look into the lives of the haves and have nots.

The two fmc's magic from the present and past is explained more as we go, so even though present fmc doesn't know much about her own magic at first we all get to learn more about it. Basically it looks like she can make vampires, but not?

The only negative thing I have to say is at the beginning when Osiric was escaping How he and his comrades escaped made no sense on a first read through. How I first imagined it was them up on a 7 story platform with the option of jump or slowly desiccate, but then you had a bird bite through their bonds? Then somehow they swung around and escaped? It gave The Road to El Dorado vibes but was hard to imagine with the way it was described. I feel like that one part needs some work. I'll try reading it again to see if it makes more sense, but that's my initial take on it.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 4.5

Well, I cried!

The prologue had me all in immediately. Themes of reincarnation/"I'll find you again in another life" are one of my favorite things and Menard just nails it here. The yearning!

Our separate introductions to both the MMC and FMC are perfect and set the stage for their journeys, both alone and together, perfectly. Osric's specifically is truly top tier. I found it impossible to put the book down once he was interacting with our FMC - the banter!

I did have a few (minor) gripes that knocked my rating down half a star: some out of character decisions that were necessary for the plot but felt a bit odd, slight overuse of the FMC's pet name, and a third act miscommunication situation which is a bit of a pet peeve of mine. But again, I cried at the end regardless.

Without spoiling anything, the way Menard sets up the dual POV serves the story so well. You'll be gasping for ~the moment~ when it all comes together.

This is perfect for you if you are looking for a well written, interesting, standalone(!), with a love that will both devastate you and leave you hopeful.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never read any of Alexis’s Menard’s books before but I glad I decided to pick this up because this book got me hooked from the beginning. Vices and Virtues is a gripping standalone fantasy that weaves together dual timelines, rich world-building, and complex characters. The story balances high-stakes adventure and lots of action with emotional depth with themes of reincarnation, fate, and redemption. The magic system was very intriguing and compelled me from the start. I thought this book was fast paced the entire time and there wasn’t a single dull moment. I’m a sucker for fated love and the witty banter between Osric and Des had me invested the entire time. I really enjoyed reading about Osric’s complex character and his past and what made him the way he is. Seeing his many facets and transformation along with how his relationship with Des evolved made me want to read more about him. Although this was great as a standalone, I wouldn’t have minded if this was a series. I’ll definitely be picking up a hard copy of this book when it’s out!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ | 1🌶️
What a ride! I absolutely love the magic system, the political intrigue, and the world building. I like how the story unravels and flows between the past and present. The pacing could go a little better; there were times where I had to put the story down and quickly read a different book just because I left like I was stuck in a scene for too long but when it does pick back up, I couldn't stop. The jobs and quests the MCs go through were interesting and action-packed; you can't help but just root for them every step of the way.

It is a little predictable but in this case, I don't mind it at all. The main characters, Des and Osric, are so likeable; I love their banter and the way their friendship and connection develops throughout the story. Osric has some banger one-liners that cracked me up and I thought they were nice little breathers as we get deeper into the story. Des and Marsal are absolute baddies, Hamich must be protected at all costs, and daddy Gaius is the GOAT.

Overall I enjoyed this one and would 100% read Alexis L Menard's other work!
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.

[Victoria Gavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything Alexis Menard writes I love so thoroughly. Every series / standalone is so unique with vastly different magic systems, plots, and character personalities. I don't know how she does it, she is so artful and ingenious. I couldn't put this book down and read it in an entire day.

The sharp wit and banter in this story is so good, I actually laughed out loud at some things Osric said. He is also such a complex character with so many facades masking his real self. The yearning in this book is so intense, and I love that so much in a book. Every interaction they had you could feel it.

This book will evoke so many feelings, you'll laugh and cry and fall in love. Reincarnation and fate play a huge roll, which is a theme I always am drawn to like a magnet. This is an incredible 10 out of 5 stars standalone that is a must-read. The idea of love outliving death is a beautiful thing.

[Sofia N · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is literally "I will meet you in every lifetime." 🥹 I’ve read most of Alexis L. Menard's books, and I think this might be my least favorite. So sad to say this because I was excited to read Vices and Virtues, but it just didn’t feel like I connected with this story how I wanted to. 😞 Though I did enjoy many aspects of this book, from the dual timeline to the star crossed romance! The magic was very intriguing and unique, though I did get confused with it sometimes.

Onto our characters, I liked both of them. Osric with his flirty banter and protectiveness, and Desiree with her brave and loyal heart. I liked their romance, though it felt a bit underwhelming. I just needed more to love them more. The ending of this book was so bittersweet!!🥹

⋆˙⟡ Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) | Forever for the ARC!!💛✨

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was such an interesting take on romantic fantasy! I loved the concept of a world trapped in endless night and all of the mythology surrounding the Sun King, Night Queen, and the cycle of rebirth. The Sunborns and Nightborns, forgotten gods, resurrection, and corrupted souls gave the story such a dark, atmospheric feel.

I also really liked the dual timeline and how the past and present are woven together. There’s a lot of mythology and history built into this world, and I think this will especially appeal to readers who love darker romantasy with gods, resurrection, ancient secrets, dual timelines, and a gothic atmosphere.

Also, THAT ENDING 😭

Thank you so much Netgalley for providing me with an ARC!

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! It is devastating, yet hopeful. I felt for these characters so deeply. Hawk is the perfect misunderstood, cocky bad boy and Des is a no nonsense powerful magic wielder. Their love story is slow to unfold and filled with yearning, as all the best are.

Typically I dislike a dual timeline narrative because it gets too confusing. I thought it worked well in this instance. We get to see these characters fall in love over and over again, which brings me to the next thing that I typically dislike: soulmates, especially reincarnated ones. Again, it worked here, probably because Menard is a great author who can write a great love story.

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great and beautifully written book! Thank you NetGalley for providing an advanced copy! I was immediately immersed in this unique world. This is a dual-timeline/POV that comes together seamlessly towards the end of the book. It was fast paced and kept me engaged all throughout the story, and then it really picked up around 65% in. I was invested in Des and Osric’s journey and rooted for their happily ever after. Overall, the book blends action and romance really well, as well as deeper themes of morality, destiny, and reincarnation.

4.5 stars rounded up

[Laurel Werner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I’m going to start off by saying that the beginning is a bit confusing. There is a lot of world building and a unique magic system that takes some time to get used to. That being said, I really enjoyed this book. The dual timelines were written beautifully. There were moments that I wasn’t fully connected to the story but I was always brought back. If you like love stories with reincarnation and second chances, this is the perfect standalone for you.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhh! I loved this book so much! I love that it’s a stand alone! I love the world! I love the story! Everything was chef’s kiss!

The dual timelines kept me on the edge of my seat flipping pages to discover all the secrets hidden in these pages. Read if you like the following!

📕 Standalone Romantic Fantasy
✨ Dual Timelines
✨ Dual POVs
☠️ Touch Her and 💀
⚡️ Banter
💘 Star Crossed Lovers
❤️ Soulmates

And OMG the end… Happy tears 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 I swear!!!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story with reincarnation, second chances, who did this to you, touch her and die moments. The multi timelines bring this story together beautifully. I absolutely adored the MC's and the journey that we as readers got to go on with them. I know this is a standalone but I could definitely read more of the inevitable love story here.

[The Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this is so good. If only the last few Dune books could ever be as good as this book. I enjoyed this book. Beautiful world building and I loved it😍. This book didn’t disappoint. I highly recommend it.