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Immortal Rose Duology #1
Immortal Rose
From Alexandra Bracken, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Lore, comes a stunningly original adult fantasy. Set in a sumptuous world ruled by magical perfume, this achingly romantic, slow-burn love story will shatter your heart and leave you breathless.
Members of the ancient House Rosebourne have a strange gift born of a fairy ancestor: the ability to infuse fragrance with magic capable of manipulating mind, body, and emotion.
When a shocking murder leaves the kingdom of Albion vulnerable to a coup, royal spymaster Hugh Thornton seeks the one person who can help: Viola Lockwood, the last living Rosebourne and secret heir to a fraught legacy.
Livid at the silver-eyed aristocrat who had her thrown in jail to force her compliance, Viola nevertheless comes to an agreement with him. In exchange for crafting Immortal Rose, the singular perfume capable of saving Albion, illegitimate Viola can seize the life—and fortune—that should have been hers.
As Hugh and Viola race to find the perfume’s lost fairy ingredient, hidden deep in Albion’s dark underbelly, neither can deny the scorching attraction building between them—especially as the attempts on Viola’s life grow increasingly brazen.
But a terrible truth lurks in the heart notes of their kingdom—and while every bargain has a cost, Immortal Rose may demand more than Hugh and Viola can ever pay.
This deluxe limited hardcover edition features beautiful stenciled edges and illustrated endpapers —available on the first printing only!
Members of the ancient House Rosebourne have a strange gift born of a fairy ancestor: the ability to infuse fragrance with magic capable of manipulating mind, body, and emotion.
When a shocking murder leaves the kingdom of Albion vulnerable to a coup, royal spymaster Hugh Thornton seeks the one person who can help: Viola Lockwood, the last living Rosebourne and secret heir to a fraught legacy.
Livid at the silver-eyed aristocrat who had her thrown in jail to force her compliance, Viola nevertheless comes to an agreement with him. In exchange for crafting Immortal Rose, the singular perfume capable of saving Albion, illegitimate Viola can seize the life—and fortune—that should have been hers.
As Hugh and Viola race to find the perfume’s lost fairy ingredient, hidden deep in Albion’s dark underbelly, neither can deny the scorching attraction building between them—especially as the attempts on Viola’s life grow increasingly brazen.
But a terrible truth lurks in the heart notes of their kingdom—and while every bargain has a cost, Immortal Rose may demand more than Hugh and Viola can ever pay.
This deluxe limited hardcover edition features beautiful stenciled edges and illustrated endpapers —available on the first printing only!
496 pages, Hardcover
First published August 18, 2026
About the author
Alexandra Bracken
31 books26.2k followersHi! I'm Alex and I write books. Please note that I don't respond to messages here on GoodReads. Please send me a note on twitter or IG @alexbracken. xx A
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,300 reviews
August 29, 2026
4.25… 4.5 stars… I am a sucker for a regency era fantasy!!!
I loved how unique this world felt with the perfume magic. The love story felt like a classic romance with a nod to Mr. Darcy.
Knocked of half star because the pacing was a bit slow to start… the writing also had better flow as the story went on… but overall i loved it!
I loved how unique this world felt with the perfume magic. The love story felt like a classic romance with a nod to Mr. Darcy.
Knocked of half star because the pacing was a bit slow to start… the writing also had better flow as the story went on… but overall i loved it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️ 2.5 ⭐️ Perfume as magic should have been like a spell: lure me in and glamour me. Except it powerfully put me to sleep. I am one who usually going with the flow, but I must say I was quite disappointed with this book. I was almost sure this would end up being at least 4 star for me, but the story never matured the way I was expecting it to. It absolutely pains me to give a low rating to an author who put in so much work to bring this story to life. But I must be honest and say it how it was: excessively long and superficial.
What's it about?
In the Regency inspired society, perfume is magic. House of Rosebourne has an intriguing gift--the ability to infuse fragrance with magic capable of manipulating the body, mind and emotion. Viola Lockwood is our protagonist who was arrested for selling fairyborn magic and thrown into a prison for her crimes. She's also an illegitimate heir and the last living survivor of Rosebourne household. In prison, she meets the royal spymaster, Hugh Thornton, who basically strikes a deal with her because he needs her to make a perfume, The Immortal Rose, for the King. The situation is urgent as the king is poisoned and doesn't have much time. A bargain is made: save the king, get your freedom. Their reluctant cooperation turns into attraction and an alliance that is sets them on a deeper political story full of secrets and betrayals. The society is not as politically stable as they initially thought; it's obsessed with status, control, coercion.
While reading, I took too many notes with all the notable issues but will discuss the major ones. So lots of thoughts; hopefully this will justify my low rating.
1. Briefly, the story simply was too boring and the pacing was excruciatingly slow and that bored me to death. The story initially started off well. The concept was truly fantastic--magic around perfumes and scents--that lured me in. However by 26%, we are constantly introduced to people, with passages of long conversations that are insignificant to the overall story or even character development because they don't tell anything of significance. They took up too much time and space without moving the plot. So therefore, they were truly fillers. Those 'filler moments' never ended and nothing really significant happens up until 80% into the book. Boring, boring, boring!
- I also wanted to comment on the magic system. I can't say that I fully grasped the idea of it as it was not well explored. We know that fairies lived in Albion long ago and left some of their supernatural abilities behind and the Rosebourne family was lucky enough to inherit those abilities. How that happened, when that happened or why them is not fully understood. Also, their magic is not free and they have to give up something in exchange when making the perfumes. So Viola, to create the Immortal Rose, has to pay for that power. This whole cost/bargain dynamic is not well understood.. I just went along with it thinking I'll get it by the end. But when I got there, there was still zero explanation.
2. Secondly, the chemistry and their romance didn’t work for me at all. Regency romances have to be achingly romantic and this was far from it. Viola is a very independent individual. She had to survive on her own and I understand how that hardens life. She's stubborn, distrustful of everyone, men especially and to me she wasn't 'Regency' material. She was too often too quick to judge and I just felt that Hugh’s and Violas relationship never materialized as they lacked the connection I was looking for. I love a good slow burn but this book had none of that. By midway she's already questioning how she feels towards Hugh and even though there is some verbal tension, I found the banter severely lacking.
3. The King of Albion is poisoned and Viola is needed to make the perfume. When they meet the king, he's appears to be dying, has a stench of decay and rotten teeth. so the issue is really dire and he has less than a week to live. For someone who is to succumb to his poison, they sure were taking their time to get started on recreating the Immortal Rose.. all those lovely dinners, breakfasts and conversations—how many introductions can we have? Frankly I lost track. It sure seems like they were taking their time. There was no sense of urgency or rush to get to the task. The execution of all the events and tasks was so poorly written and along with such a slow paced story, I as a reader felt very disconnected from the plot.
4. The ending just happens. It does not wrap anything up, it just happens out of nowhere, leaving no room for the readers to process it. It ends with a major cliffhanger, but abruptly. There is no build up to it so it feels like its done simply for shock value.
I wanted to love it but unfortunately it wasn't great. I think this book will find its readers. But some covers as lush and beautiful as they are, are truly deceptive of the content that follows. I think many reviewers will appreciate the new magic system, as superficial as it was, but I am someone who looks for a well developed story. Immortal Rose was not it.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and the author Alexandra Bracken for an early copy.
Many thanks to Harper Audio for an early ALC.
Narrator: Nicola Barber, Christian Coulson
Duration: 20 hours 21 minutes
Speed: 1.75x
Publication date: August 18, 2026
What's it about?
In the Regency inspired society, perfume is magic. House of Rosebourne has an intriguing gift--the ability to infuse fragrance with magic capable of manipulating the body, mind and emotion. Viola Lockwood is our protagonist who was arrested for selling fairyborn magic and thrown into a prison for her crimes. She's also an illegitimate heir and the last living survivor of Rosebourne household. In prison, she meets the royal spymaster, Hugh Thornton, who basically strikes a deal with her because he needs her to make a perfume, The Immortal Rose, for the King. The situation is urgent as the king is poisoned and doesn't have much time. A bargain is made: save the king, get your freedom. Their reluctant cooperation turns into attraction and an alliance that is sets them on a deeper political story full of secrets and betrayals. The society is not as politically stable as they initially thought; it's obsessed with status, control, coercion.
While reading, I took too many notes with all the notable issues but will discuss the major ones. So lots of thoughts; hopefully this will justify my low rating.
1. Briefly, the story simply was too boring and the pacing was excruciatingly slow and that bored me to death. The story initially started off well. The concept was truly fantastic--magic around perfumes and scents--that lured me in. However by 26%, we are constantly introduced to people, with passages of long conversations that are insignificant to the overall story or even character development because they don't tell anything of significance. They took up too much time and space without moving the plot. So therefore, they were truly fillers. Those 'filler moments' never ended and nothing really significant happens up until 80% into the book. Boring, boring, boring!
- I also wanted to comment on the magic system. I can't say that I fully grasped the idea of it as it was not well explored. We know that fairies lived in Albion long ago and left some of their supernatural abilities behind and the Rosebourne family was lucky enough to inherit those abilities. How that happened, when that happened or why them is not fully understood. Also, their magic is not free and they have to give up something in exchange when making the perfumes. So Viola, to create the Immortal Rose, has to pay for that power. This whole cost/bargain dynamic is not well understood.. I just went along with it thinking I'll get it by the end. But when I got there, there was still zero explanation.
2. Secondly, the chemistry and their romance didn’t work for me at all. Regency romances have to be achingly romantic and this was far from it. Viola is a very independent individual. She had to survive on her own and I understand how that hardens life. She's stubborn, distrustful of everyone, men especially and to me she wasn't 'Regency' material. She was too often too quick to judge and I just felt that Hugh’s and Violas relationship never materialized as they lacked the connection I was looking for. I love a good slow burn but this book had none of that. By midway she's already questioning how she feels towards Hugh and even though there is some verbal tension, I found the banter severely lacking.
3. The King of Albion is poisoned and Viola is needed to make the perfume. When they meet the king, he's appears to be dying, has a stench of decay and rotten teeth. so the issue is really dire and he has less than a week to live. For someone who is to succumb to his poison, they sure were taking their time to get started on recreating the Immortal Rose.. all those lovely dinners, breakfasts and conversations—how many introductions can we have? Frankly I lost track. It sure seems like they were taking their time. There was no sense of urgency or rush to get to the task. The execution of all the events and tasks was so poorly written and along with such a slow paced story, I as a reader felt very disconnected from the plot.
4. The ending just happens. It does not wrap anything up, it just happens out of nowhere, leaving no room for the readers to process it. It ends with a major cliffhanger, but abruptly. There is no build up to it so it feels like its done simply for shock value.
I wanted to love it but unfortunately it wasn't great. I think this book will find its readers. But some covers as lush and beautiful as they are, are truly deceptive of the content that follows. I think many reviewers will appreciate the new magic system, as superficial as it was, but I am someone who looks for a well developed story. Immortal Rose was not it.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and the author Alexandra Bracken for an early copy.
Many thanks to Harper Audio for an early ALC.
Narrator: Nicola Barber, Christian Coulson
Duration: 20 hours 21 minutes
Speed: 1.75x
Publication date: August 18, 2026
Read
August 17, 2026I was patiently waiting for my arc request to be approved ☹️ (thank you @liana Gold for putting me onto this)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
HUGE thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for a chance to review this arc!!
4.5✨
The amount of quotes I have saved up for release day is honestly really insane. A million stars for the fmc… I loved her so much.
« Some of us do not have the privilege of living our life, my lord. We survive it. »
This adult fantasy captured my heart. Its a slow burn fantasy & romance about a world ruled by magical perfume, secrets & the villains always being one step ahead.
« If you could survive the beating, you’ll survive the healing. »
There’s a lot of aspects that rendered me speechless about this story. The first one being the fact that everything felt NATURAL. The relationships develop in a way that feels realistic, while the characters behave & talk in a lifelike way. The characters are true to their arcs, while having the development that also progresses in a way that is logical and realistic.
The second was how slow burning this story was. At first, I didn’t really know where it was going or what was happening but it all came together quite flawlessly.
« All my broken pieces had been welded back together, stronger than before. »
« We can choose to be anyone we wish to be. »
The third was the characters. The fmc was the perfect description of ‘I survived through sheer force of will’… I fell for her right away. She behaved how someone who survived so much would behave. The mmc was the yearning type and so many of the things he did for her brought tears to my eyes. I loved him as much as I loved her. The side characters were important part of the story and they all had their quirks and personalities. The found family was truly wholesome and I loved them all.
« I had spent my childhood unwanted, and that feeling had never entirely left me. » 😭 this is the only quote I’ll post for now but I’ll come back.
The fourth was the romance… the perfect slow burn. Everything between them was sensical and you weren’t reminded every second chapter about how beautiful one was… it was natural and human.
« That willingness to do whatever was necessary and navigate outside of society’s rules - how very, very rare that was. »
« You are the exception. To my every rule. »
The two last elements were the writing and the magic/perfume system. It’s rich and compelling. I didn’t want to put it down and I kept thinking about it afterwards.
« You have survived too many shadows to deny yourself the light of hope. »
« Because if you were to disappear, I would blaze through this godforsaken world and every soul who stood between us until I found you again. »
Conclusively, I will admit my rating shifted a lot through this read. It was initially a 4, went to a 4.5, stayed in the 5 range for a little while in the late middle, to go back to 4.5 and then 4.25. It’s difficult for me to put a rating on this one but as I was writing my review… I decided to settle on 4.5✨. I highly recommend this one.
« I had worked hard for everything I had, fought and clawed for every scrap of freedom and peace the world was willing to toss to me. »
4.5✨
The amount of quotes I have saved up for release day is honestly really insane. A million stars for the fmc… I loved her so much.
« Some of us do not have the privilege of living our life, my lord. We survive it. »
This adult fantasy captured my heart. Its a slow burn fantasy & romance about a world ruled by magical perfume, secrets & the villains always being one step ahead.
« If you could survive the beating, you’ll survive the healing. »
There’s a lot of aspects that rendered me speechless about this story. The first one being the fact that everything felt NATURAL. The relationships develop in a way that feels realistic, while the characters behave & talk in a lifelike way. The characters are true to their arcs, while having the development that also progresses in a way that is logical and realistic.
The second was how slow burning this story was. At first, I didn’t really know where it was going or what was happening but it all came together quite flawlessly.
« All my broken pieces had been welded back together, stronger than before. »
« We can choose to be anyone we wish to be. »
The third was the characters. The fmc was the perfect description of ‘I survived through sheer force of will’… I fell for her right away. She behaved how someone who survived so much would behave. The mmc was the yearning type and so many of the things he did for her brought tears to my eyes. I loved him as much as I loved her. The side characters were important part of the story and they all had their quirks and personalities. The found family was truly wholesome and I loved them all.
« I had spent my childhood unwanted, and that feeling had never entirely left me. » 😭 this is the only quote I’ll post for now but I’ll come back.
The fourth was the romance… the perfect slow burn. Everything between them was sensical and you weren’t reminded every second chapter about how beautiful one was… it was natural and human.
« That willingness to do whatever was necessary and navigate outside of society’s rules - how very, very rare that was. »
« You are the exception. To my every rule. »
The two last elements were the writing and the magic/perfume system. It’s rich and compelling. I didn’t want to put it down and I kept thinking about it afterwards.
« You have survived too many shadows to deny yourself the light of hope. »
« Because if you were to disappear, I would blaze through this godforsaken world and every soul who stood between us until I found you again. »
Conclusively, I will admit my rating shifted a lot through this read. It was initially a 4, went to a 4.5, stayed in the 5 range for a little while in the late middle, to go back to 4.5 and then 4.25. It’s difficult for me to put a rating on this one but as I was writing my review… I decided to settle on 4.5✨. I highly recommend this one.
« I had worked hard for everything I had, fought and clawed for every scrap of freedom and peace the world was willing to toss to me. »
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.25⭐️ Immortal Rose seriously has some of the most lyrical and immersive writing I’ve ever come across, truly bringing its Bridgerton-esque setting to life! Though I will say that reading carefully is crucial to understanding the plot and political affairs, as many details are implied rather than directly stated, making them easy to miss. I often found myself rereading certain dialogue sequences to fully grasp what the characters were discussing.
Our FMC, Viola, is fiercely stubborn and independent, often refusing help even when she desperately needs it. While I admired her resilience in a world where women are constantly seen as inferior, it was also heartwarming to watch her slowly open up and learn to trust others. One of my favorite aspects of the book was her inherited “fairyborn” magic, which allows her to detect and associate people's emotions with specific scents and tastes. The descriptions were so vivid that I genuinely felt like I could smell and taste everything!
Now the MMC, Hugh, is a man who YEARNS. Beneath his cold and seemingly indifferent exterior lies a deeply compassionate, protective individual whose devotion to those he loves added a lot of depth to his character. It was so entertaining watching him become increasingly jealous whenever Viola interacted with another man. I was kicking my feet over all the ways he cared for and protected her. Viola and Hugh have one of the most swoon-worthy relationships I've ever read and have already become one of my favorite book couples🙌
Given the premise, there's a lot less action than you might expect from a traditional fantasy novel. The pacing in the first half was slow enough that I occasionally found myself struggling to stay engaged, but the second half completely made up for it!! If you enjoy a character-driven fantasy with an incredibly immersive atmosphere, then this is an absolute must-read!
Our FMC, Viola, is fiercely stubborn and independent, often refusing help even when she desperately needs it. While I admired her resilience in a world where women are constantly seen as inferior, it was also heartwarming to watch her slowly open up and learn to trust others. One of my favorite aspects of the book was her inherited “fairyborn” magic, which allows her to detect and associate people's emotions with specific scents and tastes. The descriptions were so vivid that I genuinely felt like I could smell and taste everything!
Now the MMC, Hugh, is a man who YEARNS. Beneath his cold and seemingly indifferent exterior lies a deeply compassionate, protective individual whose devotion to those he loves added a lot of depth to his character. It was so entertaining watching him become increasingly jealous whenever Viola interacted with another man. I was kicking my feet over all the ways he cared for and protected her. Viola and Hugh have one of the most swoon-worthy relationships I've ever read and have already become one of my favorite book couples🙌
Given the premise, there's a lot less action than you might expect from a traditional fantasy novel. The pacing in the first half was slow enough that I occasionally found myself struggling to stay engaged, but the second half completely made up for it!! If you enjoy a character-driven fantasy with an incredibly immersive atmosphere, then this is an absolute must-read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If Alexandra Bracken writes a book, I already know two things before I even open the first page.
My emotions are about to be violently rearranged.
Sleep will become optional.
Immortal Rose absolutely followed that tradition.
First of all—magical perfume? Excuse me? Who sat down and thought, you know what fantasy needs… weaponized fragrance? Because whoever had that idea deserves a standing ovation. This world runs on scent—perfumes that can sway emotions, influence thoughts, and manipulate the body itself. Suddenly smelling nice is no longer just a lifestyle choice… it’s political power.
Our heroine, Viola Lockhart, is the last surviving member of the infamous Rosebourne bloodline—a family with a very inconveniently powerful talent for creating magical fragrances. And by inconvenient I mean: people will absolutely kidnap, threaten, imprison, or otherwise ruin your day to get access to it.
Which is exactly how she ends up dealing with Hugh Thornton.
Hugh is the kingdom’s royal spymaster. Polished, controlled, mysterious, annoyingly handsome in that broody aristocratic way, and—very importantly—the same man responsible for throwing Viola into prison earlier. So naturally he now shows up asking for her help.
The audacity. The nerve. The sheer male confidence.
He needs her to craft a legendary perfume called Immortal Rose, something powerful enough to save the kingdom from political chaos. Viola, who has every reason to slam the door in his face, instead sees an opportunity. If she succeeds, she might finally reclaim the legacy that was stolen from her family.
So she agrees.
And thus begins the slowest, most deliciously painful romantic tension imaginable.
This is not the kind of story where two characters lock eyes and immediately fall into each other’s arms by page fifty. Oh no. This book feeds on longing. Suspicion. Carefully hidden vulnerability. The kind of tension where two people are standing too close in a room and suddenly breathing becomes suspiciously difficult.
Hugh and Viola are both walking around carrying emotional baggage heavy enough to qualify as checked luggage. He hides behind duty and control. She hides behind sarcasm and survival instincts. Watching them circle each other, slowly peeling back those defenses, was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book.
And Viola? I adored her.
She’s sharp-tongued, stubborn, emotionally bruised but still standing, and absolutely unwilling to play the role society assigned to her. She’s clever, scrappy, and the type of heroine who will absolutely walk into danger if it means taking control of her own story.
The world itself feels lush and layered—full of glittering high society, dangerous secrets, shadowy politics, and a magical system built around scent that somehow feels both elegant and dangerous. The way perfume becomes intertwined with power, identity, and deception is fascinating.
Also, the tension in this story builds… and builds… and builds.
Just when you think you know where things are going, the plot casually reaches over and yanks the rug straight out from under your feet.
And the ending?
Rude.
Deeply rude.
I turned the final page and just stared at the wall for a while like someone who had been personally betrayed. The emotional damage is real. I am now impatiently waiting for the next book like a Victorian woman dramatically fainting on a chaise lounge.
Overall, Immortal Rose is lush, romantic, mysterious, and wildly original. It’s a story full of yearning, secrets, ambition, and magic that lingers in the air long after the final page.
I’m giving this one five intoxicating, heartbreakingly romantic stars, and I will absolutely be first in line for the next installment.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon for sharing one of the most anticipated romantasies of the year with me in exchange for my honest feedback. 🌹
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My emotions are about to be violently rearranged.
Sleep will become optional.
Immortal Rose absolutely followed that tradition.
First of all—magical perfume? Excuse me? Who sat down and thought, you know what fantasy needs… weaponized fragrance? Because whoever had that idea deserves a standing ovation. This world runs on scent—perfumes that can sway emotions, influence thoughts, and manipulate the body itself. Suddenly smelling nice is no longer just a lifestyle choice… it’s political power.
Our heroine, Viola Lockhart, is the last surviving member of the infamous Rosebourne bloodline—a family with a very inconveniently powerful talent for creating magical fragrances. And by inconvenient I mean: people will absolutely kidnap, threaten, imprison, or otherwise ruin your day to get access to it.
Which is exactly how she ends up dealing with Hugh Thornton.
Hugh is the kingdom’s royal spymaster. Polished, controlled, mysterious, annoyingly handsome in that broody aristocratic way, and—very importantly—the same man responsible for throwing Viola into prison earlier. So naturally he now shows up asking for her help.
The audacity. The nerve. The sheer male confidence.
He needs her to craft a legendary perfume called Immortal Rose, something powerful enough to save the kingdom from political chaos. Viola, who has every reason to slam the door in his face, instead sees an opportunity. If she succeeds, she might finally reclaim the legacy that was stolen from her family.
So she agrees.
And thus begins the slowest, most deliciously painful romantic tension imaginable.
This is not the kind of story where two characters lock eyes and immediately fall into each other’s arms by page fifty. Oh no. This book feeds on longing. Suspicion. Carefully hidden vulnerability. The kind of tension where two people are standing too close in a room and suddenly breathing becomes suspiciously difficult.
Hugh and Viola are both walking around carrying emotional baggage heavy enough to qualify as checked luggage. He hides behind duty and control. She hides behind sarcasm and survival instincts. Watching them circle each other, slowly peeling back those defenses, was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book.
And Viola? I adored her.
She’s sharp-tongued, stubborn, emotionally bruised but still standing, and absolutely unwilling to play the role society assigned to her. She’s clever, scrappy, and the type of heroine who will absolutely walk into danger if it means taking control of her own story.
The world itself feels lush and layered—full of glittering high society, dangerous secrets, shadowy politics, and a magical system built around scent that somehow feels both elegant and dangerous. The way perfume becomes intertwined with power, identity, and deception is fascinating.
Also, the tension in this story builds… and builds… and builds.
Just when you think you know where things are going, the plot casually reaches over and yanks the rug straight out from under your feet.
And the ending?
Rude.
Deeply rude.
I turned the final page and just stared at the wall for a while like someone who had been personally betrayed. The emotional damage is real. I am now impatiently waiting for the next book like a Victorian woman dramatically fainting on a chaise lounge.
Overall, Immortal Rose is lush, romantic, mysterious, and wildly original. It’s a story full of yearning, secrets, ambition, and magic that lingers in the air long after the final page.
I’m giving this one five intoxicating, heartbreakingly romantic stars, and I will absolutely be first in line for the next installment.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon for sharing one of the most anticipated romantasies of the year with me in exchange for my honest feedback. 🌹
medium.com
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Happy Release Day!!
4.5 stars
Almost everything about this book was 🔥🔥🔥
The storyline was really engaging, the magic was really interesting, and the characters, THE CHARACTERS, were all amazing.
The FMC was a boss. She didn't take shit from anybody, she was smart, cunning when she needed to be, and a real standout in a regency style environment. The MMC was a Level 10 Yearner and was a really complex character. And all of the side characters were really well written and were very distinguishable from each other.
So. Many. Good. Quotes. I wish I could share so many of them this early, but there were just so many moments to bookmark 💙
I will say there were at times a lot going on with the plot, and so I felt lost here and there, but this book was just so good and I can't wait for the sequel ❤️🔥
Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
4.5 stars
Almost everything about this book was 🔥🔥🔥
The storyline was really engaging, the magic was really interesting, and the characters, THE CHARACTERS, were all amazing.
The FMC was a boss. She didn't take shit from anybody, she was smart, cunning when she needed to be, and a real standout in a regency style environment. The MMC was a Level 10 Yearner and was a really complex character. And all of the side characters were really well written and were very distinguishable from each other.
So. Many. Good. Quotes. I wish I could share so many of them this early, but there were just so many moments to bookmark 💙
I will say there were at times a lot going on with the plot, and so I felt lost here and there, but this book was just so good and I can't wait for the sequel ❤️🔥
Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
Currently Reading
March 21, 2026ˏˋ 📓 pre-read log ˎˊ˗
↳ march 21, 2026
heard this book has a yearning man in it and now I'm seeing for myself 🙂↕️
___________________
Thank you to Avon Books for the ARC.
↳ march 21, 2026
heard this book has a yearning man in it and now I'm seeing for myself 🙂↕️
___________________
Thank you to Avon Books for the ARC.
May 10, 2026
Immortal Rose by Alexandra Bracken
Book Blurb: Members of the ancient House Rosebourne have a strange gift born of a fairy ancestor: the ability to infuse fragrance with magic capable of manipulating mind, body, and emotion.
When a shocking murder leaves the kingdom of Albion vulnerable to a coup, royal spymaster Hugh Thornton seeks the one person who can help: Viola Lockwood, the last living Rosebourne and secret heir to a fraught legacy.
Rating: *****
Feels: Engaged, Enthralled, Enamored, Enraptured
Style: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance
First published August 13, 2026 : 496 pages
The book was surprisingly mesmerizing in the best way. I was drawn in by the idea and every chapter and character further drew me in and held on. I love the idea of magical perfumes with their every day uses for the rich and entitled. The formulation of the perfumes was rather engrossing to read about. Viola, our perfume making darling, was so fun and clever !! I loved her no nonsense style. Hugh was that protective morally grey yet has good sense kinda of guy. This story has a bit of a mystery to solve and lots of twists and turns which I adored finding out as we read. Can I just say this book has a truely fun found family !! I think you would love meeting them. Very unique. Will be thinking about all these twists and that ending for awhile !!!
This book has:
He falls first
Enemies to Lovers
Fake marriage
Found family
Touch her and die (and I will murder everyone )
Book Blurb: Members of the ancient House Rosebourne have a strange gift born of a fairy ancestor: the ability to infuse fragrance with magic capable of manipulating mind, body, and emotion.
When a shocking murder leaves the kingdom of Albion vulnerable to a coup, royal spymaster Hugh Thornton seeks the one person who can help: Viola Lockwood, the last living Rosebourne and secret heir to a fraught legacy.
Rating: *****
Feels: Engaged, Enthralled, Enamored, Enraptured
Style: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance
First published August 13, 2026 : 496 pages
The book was surprisingly mesmerizing in the best way. I was drawn in by the idea and every chapter and character further drew me in and held on. I love the idea of magical perfumes with their every day uses for the rich and entitled. The formulation of the perfumes was rather engrossing to read about. Viola, our perfume making darling, was so fun and clever !! I loved her no nonsense style. Hugh was that protective morally grey yet has good sense kinda of guy. This story has a bit of a mystery to solve and lots of twists and turns which I adored finding out as we read. Can I just say this book has a truely fun found family !! I think you would love meeting them. Very unique. Will be thinking about all these twists and that ending for awhile !!!
This book has:
He falls first
Enemies to Lovers
Fake marriage
Found family
Touch her and die (and I will murder everyone )
Did Not Finish
January 23, 2026Something must be wrong with me but I just can't get into it
DNF 40%
-----
Hands down, stunning cover
DNF 40%
-----
Hands down, stunning cover
August 10, 2026
what. the. fuck. was that ending!???😭 what am I even supposed to do after reading that last chapter?
oh my gosh, I loved this book so much. the magic system and mystery had me on my feet, and the slow burn and yearning was INCREDIBLE!!
“I could die from want of you,” he whispered in her ear. “I would follow you, your devoted, worshipful servant, across lifetimes, the way the sun chases the moon across the sky. I would weave my soul through yours so no man or god could ever part them.” 😛😛
ugh this book was actually amazing and I’m surprised I ended up enjoying it because I was SOO confused the first 3 chapters, I wasn’t understanding anything and really thought this book wasn’t going to be it for me lmao. anywaysss, add this to your tbr🤸🏻♀️ frtc
oh my gosh, I loved this book so much. the magic system and mystery had me on my feet, and the slow burn and yearning was INCREDIBLE!!
“I could die from want of you,” he whispered in her ear. “I would follow you, your devoted, worshipful servant, across lifetimes, the way the sun chases the moon across the sky. I would weave my soul through yours so no man or god could ever part them.” 😛😛
ugh this book was actually amazing and I’m surprised I ended up enjoying it because I was SOO confused the first 3 chapters, I wasn’t understanding anything and really thought this book wasn’t going to be it for me lmao. anywaysss, add this to your tbr🤸🏻♀️ frtc
August 4, 2026
Not gonna lie, when I started this and saw the magic was perfume-based, I almost quit. There is nothing I care less about than perfume, haha. But god am I glad I didn't quit. Because this ended up being a great time.
This is my first Alexandra Bracken book and now I guess I need to go read her back catalog. I really loved this story and these characters. Interesting magic system. Great side characters. And the pacing was perfection. I also love a grumpy/grumpier romance. Alexandra made a very intriguing story. And I cannot WAIT for book 2. I was excited to come home from work and dive back into this world. For sure I recommend this one.
This is my first Alexandra Bracken book and now I guess I need to go read her back catalog. I really loved this story and these characters. Interesting magic system. Great side characters. And the pacing was perfection. I also love a grumpy/grumpier romance. Alexandra made a very intriguing story. And I cannot WAIT for book 2. I was excited to come home from work and dive back into this world. For sure I recommend this one.
Currently Reading
September 18, 2026˒˒ ⊹⌇ pre-read ᝰ
⌗ ┆started: sept 18th ● finished: ?
i’m in the mood to start another fantasy, so why not finally start this arc 😌 and i get to read it with my bestie har!! i love you soooo much!! 😚💗
৻ꪆ thank you so much alexandra bracken, avon and harper voyager, and harperaudio for the arc!!
⌗ ┆started: sept 18th ● finished: ?
i’m in the mood to start another fantasy, so why not finally start this arc 😌 and i get to read it with my bestie har!! i love you soooo much!! 😚💗
৻ꪆ thank you so much alexandra bracken, avon and harper voyager, and harperaudio for the arc!!
August 2, 2026
*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review!*
LOVED IT!!!
rtc.
P.S. Will read it again soon...
__________________
Not only have I been desperately missing Alexandra Bracken's books, but I also get to read an early copy of this one?! Excuse me while I completely lose my mind.
And this book has:
- Marriage of Convenience
- Forced Proximity
- Espoinage
- Secret Identities
- "Who did this to you?"
Yeah... I'm not surviving this. Expect me to pass out at least seventeen times while reading.
*squeals*
LOVED IT!!!
rtc.
P.S. Will read it again soon...
__________________
Not only have I been desperately missing Alexandra Bracken's books, but I also get to read an early copy of this one?! Excuse me while I completely lose my mind.
And this book has:
- Marriage of Convenience
- Forced Proximity
- Espoinage
- Secret Identities
- "Who did this to you?"
Yeah... I'm not surviving this. Expect me to pass out at least seventeen times while reading.
*squeals*
September 1, 2026
It was... meh 😬 But Hugh & Viola? Absolute 10/10
The first half was very slow-paced to the point where nothing was really happening. I was SO close to DNFing it, but the second half was okayish enough to make me finish it.
I wouldn't call this a slow burn, they fell in love in less than a week. And it's not really enemies to lovers either. The banter was cute at first but it vanished after a few chapters, and there wasn't much to begin with.
I couldn't really get into the magic system either, which is a shame because the concept is so unique and I actually loved the idea.
Something about it just felt flat and I didn't really _feel_ anything while reading.
It had a lot of potential, the execution just didn't hit for me.
❗Safety❗
No cheating
No OWD
No OMD ( just slight jealousy that's it )
The first half was very slow-paced to the point where nothing was really happening. I was SO close to DNFing it, but the second half was okayish enough to make me finish it.
I wouldn't call this a slow burn, they fell in love in less than a week. And it's not really enemies to lovers either. The banter was cute at first but it vanished after a few chapters, and there wasn't much to begin with.
I couldn't really get into the magic system either, which is a shame because the concept is so unique and I actually loved the idea.
Something about it just felt flat and I didn't really _feel_ anything while reading.
It had a lot of potential, the execution just didn't hit for me.
❗Safety❗
No cheating
No OWD
No OMD ( just slight jealousy that's it )
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🌹✨ Immortal Rose ✨🌹
I loved the worldbuilding so much. It was immersive, detailed, and easy to get lost in. I can honestly say I have never read a book with magical perfume before, and I loved how unique this magic system was.
I have a feeling this will be a six star read once I get ahold of the audiobook!
I will say, if you do not love long books, this may not be for you. It is lengthy and packed with details, so the beginning can feel a little overwhelming if that is not something you normally enjoy. But for me the worldbuilding made it worth it.
❤️What to Expect
• Magical perfume
• Slow burn
• Enemies to lovers
• Royal intrigue
• Spy x reluctant heir
• Hidden legacy
• Found family
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: August 18, 2026
📝 Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, Avon, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
I loved the worldbuilding so much. It was immersive, detailed, and easy to get lost in. I can honestly say I have never read a book with magical perfume before, and I loved how unique this magic system was.
I have a feeling this will be a six star read once I get ahold of the audiobook!
I will say, if you do not love long books, this may not be for you. It is lengthy and packed with details, so the beginning can feel a little overwhelming if that is not something you normally enjoy. But for me the worldbuilding made it worth it.
❤️What to Expect
• Magical perfume
• Slow burn
• Enemies to lovers
• Royal intrigue
• Spy x reluctant heir
• Hidden legacy
• Found family
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: August 18, 2026
📝 Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, Avon, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
August 8, 2026
this book is the PERFECT example of why I never DNF! I would’ve completely missed out on an ending so diabolical that I immediately needed book two.
yes, the first half had a slower pace, and I wasn’t 100% invested in the storyline at first, but that second half??? IT HIT. Once everything started unfolding, I was completely locked in.
we have marriage of convenience, Bridgerton x Pride and Prejudice vibes, a murder mystery, and perfume magic.
Viola is intelligent, clever, and incredibly resilient after everything she’s endured. And Hugh??? THE ULTIMATE YEARNER. The tension between these two had me absolutely on my knees.
The twists and revelations had me GAGGED. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, the story would throw another bombshell at me and completely change everything I thought I knew.
And that LAST PAGE?! Excuse me??? I NEED ANSWERS. Immediately. Book two cannot come fast enough.
Huge ty to Avon for a physical and e-arc and libro for an alc!!
yes, the first half had a slower pace, and I wasn’t 100% invested in the storyline at first, but that second half??? IT HIT. Once everything started unfolding, I was completely locked in.
we have marriage of convenience, Bridgerton x Pride and Prejudice vibes, a murder mystery, and perfume magic.
Viola is intelligent, clever, and incredibly resilient after everything she’s endured. And Hugh??? THE ULTIMATE YEARNER. The tension between these two had me absolutely on my knees.
The twists and revelations had me GAGGED. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, the story would throw another bombshell at me and completely change everything I thought I knew.
And that LAST PAGE?! Excuse me??? I NEED ANSWERS. Immediately. Book two cannot come fast enough.
Huge ty to Avon for a physical and e-arc and libro for an alc!!
July 2, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
This had one of my favorite fantasy premises of the year, which somehow made the reading experience even more disappointing.
Magic perfume? A Regency-inspired fantasy? Political intrigue? On paper, this should have been a slam dunk for me.
Instead, I spent most of the book waiting for something to happen.
The pacing is painfully slow, and some of the chapters are insanely long. I don't usually mind a slower fantasy if the world or characters are keeping me engaged, but here I found myself checking how many pages were left in a chapter more than once. Entire sections felt like they could have been cut without changing the story.
The perfume magic is easily the most interesting part of the book, but it never felt fully developed. The concept is incredibly unique, yet I finished the book still feeling like I didn't have a solid grasp on how the magic actually worked or what its limits were. It felt like there was so much potential that never made it onto the page.
The romance also did very little for me. For something marketed as an achingly romantic slow burn, I never felt invested in Viola and Hugh's relationship, and the banter and chemistry I kept waiting for never really materialized.
More than anything, though, I was just bored. That's the hardest thing for me to overlook in a fantasy this ambitious. Beautiful prose can only carry a story so far, and by the time the cliffhanger arrived, I had no interest in continuing the series.
It's a gorgeous concept, but the execution completely lost me.
August 15, 2026
“‘You are the exception,” he said curtly. ‘To my every rule.’”
my god, this was good. for me, this is honestly an ideal romantasy. gorgeous, masterful writing with incredibly nuanced characters in a regency era inspired setting with magical perfumes??? enemies to lovers??? marriage of convenience??? YEARNING FROM BOTH PARTIES!?!? my tail is wagging just thinking about it again.
“‘I could die from want of you,’ he whispered in her ear. ‘I would follow you, your devoted, worshipful servant, across lifetimes.’”
my god, this was good. for me, this is honestly an ideal romantasy. gorgeous, masterful writing with incredibly nuanced characters in a regency era inspired setting with magical perfumes??? enemies to lovers??? marriage of convenience??? YEARNING FROM BOTH PARTIES!?!? my tail is wagging just thinking about it again.
“‘I could die from want of you,’ he whispered in her ear. ‘I would follow you, your devoted, worshipful servant, across lifetimes.’”
August 19, 2026
If you want a Regency-era fantasy with court politics, mystery, betrayal, magical perfume, and maybe a few Mr. Darcy hand-flex moments... this is a really good time.
Immortal Rose follows Viola, the last living heir to a family with the ability to infuse perfume with magic. After being pulled into a political mess involving the fate of the kingdom, she ends up working with Hugh, a royal spymaster she very much does not trust, to recreate a legendary perfume that could save Albion.
The biggest standout for me was easily the magic system.
Perfume magic??? So cool.
Viola can essentially scent emotions and other things people are trying to hide, which made her POV feel really unique. It also fit the Regency-inspired setting so well because fragrance, wealth, status, and presentation are all baked into the world in a way that feels very intentional.
I also ended up really liking both Viola and Hugh.
Viola is smart, devious, and extremely aware of what she wants. Hugh grew on me more slowly, but once we started getting more of his perspective, I was very into him too. I especially liked how observant he is and the vulnerability we eventually get underneath all of the spymaster behavior.
My only real complaint with the romance is that I personally would've loved for it to develop even slower. The book takes place over a fairly short period of time, and while the relationship never necessarily felt rushed (it was written very well), I am someone who wants a man yearning in silence for an absolutely unreasonable amount of time.
The mystery around Viola's family and the larger political situation was also really fun to unravel. I guessed a few things, but there were still some reveals that genuinely got me, and the back half of this book moved FAST.
I also think this being a duology is the perfect choice.
By the end, enough pieces have been uncovered that I feel like we understand the larger story, but there are still plenty of questions left to answer without needing another four books to get there. I'm really excited to see everything come together in Book 2.
I did expect a little more from the "polite society" side of the Regency setting. The world definitely has that magical-bridgerton feel, but I would've loved even more social maneuvering, etiquette, balls, reputation drama, and all the other delicious nonsense that comes with that kind of setting.
There were also a couple moments where the antagonist seemed able to get away with things that felt convenient compared to the rules established for everyone else, which pulled me out of the story a bit.
But overall, I had a really good time with this.
And a special shoutout to the audiobook because the dual narration was SO well done. I bounced back and forth between physically reading, listening, and immersive reading for a big chunk of the book, and it worked really well in every format.
The slow start took me a little time to settle into, but once I was invested, I was invested.
Very excited for Book 2.
Also... magical perfume is absolutely one of those concepts that sounds like it could be gimmicky and instead ended up being one of my favorite parts of the entire book.
Immortal Rose follows Viola, the last living heir to a family with the ability to infuse perfume with magic. After being pulled into a political mess involving the fate of the kingdom, she ends up working with Hugh, a royal spymaster she very much does not trust, to recreate a legendary perfume that could save Albion.
The biggest standout for me was easily the magic system.
Perfume magic??? So cool.
Viola can essentially scent emotions and other things people are trying to hide, which made her POV feel really unique. It also fit the Regency-inspired setting so well because fragrance, wealth, status, and presentation are all baked into the world in a way that feels very intentional.
I also ended up really liking both Viola and Hugh.
Viola is smart, devious, and extremely aware of what she wants. Hugh grew on me more slowly, but once we started getting more of his perspective, I was very into him too. I especially liked how observant he is and the vulnerability we eventually get underneath all of the spymaster behavior.
My only real complaint with the romance is that I personally would've loved for it to develop even slower. The book takes place over a fairly short period of time, and while the relationship never necessarily felt rushed (it was written very well), I am someone who wants a man yearning in silence for an absolutely unreasonable amount of time.
The mystery around Viola's family and the larger political situation was also really fun to unravel. I guessed a few things, but there were still some reveals that genuinely got me, and the back half of this book moved FAST.
I also think this being a duology is the perfect choice.
By the end, enough pieces have been uncovered that I feel like we understand the larger story, but there are still plenty of questions left to answer without needing another four books to get there. I'm really excited to see everything come together in Book 2.
I did expect a little more from the "polite society" side of the Regency setting. The world definitely has that magical-bridgerton feel, but I would've loved even more social maneuvering, etiquette, balls, reputation drama, and all the other delicious nonsense that comes with that kind of setting.
There were also a couple moments where the antagonist seemed able to get away with things that felt convenient compared to the rules established for everyone else, which pulled me out of the story a bit.
But overall, I had a really good time with this.
And a special shoutout to the audiobook because the dual narration was SO well done. I bounced back and forth between physically reading, listening, and immersive reading for a big chunk of the book, and it worked really well in every format.
The slow start took me a little time to settle into, but once I was invested, I was invested.
Very excited for Book 2.
Also... magical perfume is absolutely one of those concepts that sounds like it could be gimmicky and instead ended up being one of my favorite parts of the entire book.
August 30, 2026
I’m so glad I didn’t DNF because the last part of this was amazing!! I’m so excited for book 2!
Viola is the last living heir of Rosebourne perfumes and the only one left with the family’s fairy gift. She is captured by Hugh, Lord Foxcourt, and given a secret task for the king in exchange for her freedom and family inheritance. But making perfumes is much more dangerous and deadlier than she realizes.
I’ve enjoyed the author’s previous work and was excited to jump into this one. But the pacing for the first half was incredibly slow. The writing is beautiful and I was intrigued by the world but halfway through the book, Viola still hadn’t started the perfume. I decided to push through because I like the author and am so glad that I did! The second half really picks up and there are twists I hadn’t seen coming. I love when the hints are there but you’re so immersed in what else is happening that small details are passed by yet play a huge part later on.
Viola and Hugh are both charming and complex characters. Viola is strong willed, clever, and has such a unique gift. She may not be a badass warrior but she knows her strengths and uses them well. Hugh is the dangerous and secretive lord with a hidden heart of gold. He’s completely unraveled by Viola and I loved every second of it!
If you’re looking for a beautifully written romantasy with a mesmerizing world and characters that will capture your heart then definitely pick this up!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the advanced copy.
Viola is the last living heir of Rosebourne perfumes and the only one left with the family’s fairy gift. She is captured by Hugh, Lord Foxcourt, and given a secret task for the king in exchange for her freedom and family inheritance. But making perfumes is much more dangerous and deadlier than she realizes.
I’ve enjoyed the author’s previous work and was excited to jump into this one. But the pacing for the first half was incredibly slow. The writing is beautiful and I was intrigued by the world but halfway through the book, Viola still hadn’t started the perfume. I decided to push through because I like the author and am so glad that I did! The second half really picks up and there are twists I hadn’t seen coming. I love when the hints are there but you’re so immersed in what else is happening that small details are passed by yet play a huge part later on.
Viola and Hugh are both charming and complex characters. Viola is strong willed, clever, and has such a unique gift. She may not be a badass warrior but she knows her strengths and uses them well. Hugh is the dangerous and secretive lord with a hidden heart of gold. He’s completely unraveled by Viola and I loved every second of it!
If you’re looking for a beautifully written romantasy with a mesmerizing world and characters that will capture your heart then definitely pick this up!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the advanced copy.
Want to Read
March 13, 2026⋅˚₊‧ ୨ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹 (3/12/2026): ୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅ Guess who got the widget for this today?!👀 I CANNOT WAIT to read this! The concept is SO unique, and the cover art (and the sprayed edges) are just absolutely gorgeous!
(Avon has really been blessing me with widgets and approvals lately, I'm so grateful!🥹)
Thank you to Avon Books, Alexandra Bracken, and NetGalley for the widget in exchange for an honest review. Immortal Rose will be officially published on August 18th, 2026!
(Avon has really been blessing me with widgets and approvals lately, I'm so grateful!🥹)
Thank you to Avon Books, Alexandra Bracken, and NetGalley for the widget in exchange for an honest review. Immortal Rose will be officially published on August 18th, 2026!
August 11, 2026
I’m SO glad I gave this one a chance even though this is not at all my typical genre. This got me on a never-before-seen-from-me regency romance kick and I read two more immediately after this one. I loved the drama, the whole main plotline of Viola needing to make this special perfume, and the ROMANCE.
This was a slow burn but OH—the yearning 😮💨 Hugh was perfecttttt. I was a bit unsure initially as he does some things that had me side eyeing 👀 him, but be redeems himself by the end and his protectiveness is unmatched. Viola, for her part, was a fierce FMC who refused to accept any limits due to her femininity in a time period when most women had accepted their fate. She pushes back against the system and against many men who try to force her hand.
There’s a lot of politics, and I was a little unclear on the magic system. There were times when the story got a little wordy and I got a little lost, and the rewind button got a workout on this one, okay? But setting that aside, especially considering it’s a me thing, I really liked this book! I am very excited for the next one (the final book since this is a duology), and I especially love that this book singlehandedly made me realize I really enjoy historical romance!
🎧Nicola Barber and Christian Coulson did a great job narrating this book. Though my brain had a hard time parsing through some of the info at times, this is by no means a reflection on them. They perfectly brought these characters to life and made them feel real. I did really enjoy the audio, but I would recommend an immersive read if you struggle sometimes following a fantasy world or magic system on audio.
This was a slow burn but OH—the yearning 😮💨 Hugh was perfecttttt. I was a bit unsure initially as he does some things that had me side eyeing 👀 him, but be redeems himself by the end and his protectiveness is unmatched. Viola, for her part, was a fierce FMC who refused to accept any limits due to her femininity in a time period when most women had accepted their fate. She pushes back against the system and against many men who try to force her hand.
There’s a lot of politics, and I was a little unclear on the magic system. There were times when the story got a little wordy and I got a little lost, and the rewind button got a workout on this one, okay? But setting that aside, especially considering it’s a me thing, I really liked this book! I am very excited for the next one (the final book since this is a duology), and I especially love that this book singlehandedly made me realize I really enjoy historical romance!
🎧Nicola Barber and Christian Coulson did a great job narrating this book. Though my brain had a hard time parsing through some of the info at times, this is by no means a reflection on them. They perfectly brought these characters to life and made them feel real. I did really enjoy the audio, but I would recommend an immersive read if you struggle sometimes following a fantasy world or magic system on audio.
June 30, 2026
Sad to say that this was a DNF at 51%, though I did skip ahead to read a few scenes later on in the book just to help decide whether I should continue or not.
The story honestly started out fairly strong. The writing was nice and I felt immersed into the world fairly quickly. But pretty early on I was starting to feel like things were dragging on for way too long and not much was actually happening. It got to the point about 22% in that I started struggling to want to pick it up.
Things were starting to feel too convenient for the characters and they just came out of nowhere, like the author needed to change things up to help move the story along.
The chapters were extremely long winded with a lot happening that honestly didn’t move the story forward at all. There were too many side characters that I was having a lot of trouble keeping everyone straight - and I have a really good memory and don’t tend to have issues with that. Not enough was going on between the fmc and the mmc to warrant the building of romance - especially when the entire first half of the book takes place over like less than 72 hours. And they go from enemies to already changing their minds, with really nothing happening for it to make sense. Their banter was minimal and not fun at all.
This had a lot of potential. The author can definitely write and write well, and she has unique ideas with the magic system and the world she’s created. But it honestly boils down to being too boring for me and just not creating engaging enough characters or high enough stakes for me to continue.
I can understand why others may love this book, but it just wasn’t for me.
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for this e-ARC.
The story honestly started out fairly strong. The writing was nice and I felt immersed into the world fairly quickly. But pretty early on I was starting to feel like things were dragging on for way too long and not much was actually happening. It got to the point about 22% in that I started struggling to want to pick it up.
Things were starting to feel too convenient for the characters and they just came out of nowhere, like the author needed to change things up to help move the story along.
The chapters were extremely long winded with a lot happening that honestly didn’t move the story forward at all. There were too many side characters that I was having a lot of trouble keeping everyone straight - and I have a really good memory and don’t tend to have issues with that. Not enough was going on between the fmc and the mmc to warrant the building of romance - especially when the entire first half of the book takes place over like less than 72 hours. And they go from enemies to already changing their minds, with really nothing happening for it to make sense. Their banter was minimal and not fun at all.
This had a lot of potential. The author can definitely write and write well, and she has unique ideas with the magic system and the world she’s created. But it honestly boils down to being too boring for me and just not creating engaging enough characters or high enough stakes for me to continue.
I can understand why others may love this book, but it just wasn’t for me.
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for this e-ARC.
June 3, 2026
Roses are red, Viola is blue.
Until that wire hits with the fortune she's due...
The aristocrats of Albion looked at Viola and saw a pawn: a lowborn woman with a rare and valuable gift who they assumed they could easily extort into solving their problems.
Viola, however, is not the one (or the two). She’s an ingenious, enterprising diva who decided to turn their trap into her leverage and lay claim to the wealth and legacy that's rightfully hers.
Though the egomaniacal men who roped her into this mess won't let her walk away victorious without a fight…
Immortal Rose is an inventive blend of Regency-inspired fantasy, murder mystery, political intrigue, and fairy folklore all wrapped up into a story that uses magic as a vehicle to explore the inextricable link between privilege and power.
Viola is a perfumer descended from fairy ancestry who possesses a supernatural sense of smell and the rare ability to weave magic into bespoke fragrances.
In the kingdom of Albion, however, fairy magic is tightly controlled by the aristocracy. The wealthy openly profit and benefit from enchanted perfumes capable of manipulating the mind, body and emotions, while the very people whose ancestry makes such magic possible are marginalized. Commoners are criminalized for accessing magic that nobles freely exploit, creating a deeply inequitable system designed to keep power concentrated in the hands of the wealthy.
As a result, Viola is forced to conceal her abilities and sell her fragrances through illicit channels to survive.
That’s until renowned perfumer William Rosebourne is murdered, sending shockwaves through Albion’s elite circles and leaving the kingdom vulnerable at a critical moment, as he was in the midst of developing a perfume that the fate of the kingdom depends on.
Enter Hugh Foxcourt, royal spymaster who is determined to protect the kingdom from nefarious threats by any means necessary.
And unfortunately for Viola, those means now include her.
Together, Hugh and Viola must race against the clock to procure a long-forgotten fairy essence and complete the titular perfume, Immortal Rose, before the kingdom's vulnerability is exploited.
What follows is a richly layered fantasy brimming with action, mystery, a slow-burn romance, and a thought-provoking examination of classism and patriarchy.
One of my favorite aspects of the story was the undercurrent of wry humor woven throughout the entire narrative. Even in darker moments, there's a levity to the dialogue and character interactions that kept the story light. The witty banter had me laughing out loud on several occasions.
The fragrance-based magic system was also beautifully executed. Bracken builds a lush, opulent world with a unique sensory quality where scents carry emotion, memory, and even foreshadowing.
And that magic system is deeply embedded within the social and political fabric of Albion in a way that meaningfully develops the story's themes, which I appreciated.
The characters were equally compelling.
Viola, the FMC, is fiercely intelligent, independent, and competent. She's been through her share of adversity in life which has only strengthened her resolve and taught her to never leave herself at the mercy of anyone, least of all a man. She has a dry yet modest sense of humor, a natural curiosity, and an earnest intelligence that felt vaguely reminiscent of Emily Wilde. I took great pleasure in watching her consistently outmaneuver men who underestimated her.
Our MMC Hugh, on the other hand, is a haughty, sardonic spymaster with a good heart that's often buried beneath duty, secrecy, and questionable decision-making.
What makes his character arc satisfying is how the novel doesn't excuse his morally grey behavior simply because his intentions are noble. Hugh is forced to confront the consequences of his actions, particularly where Viola is concerned, and witnessing his journey to acknowledge the harm it causes and gradually overcome this aspect of his character was one of the most rewarding parts of the story.
Together, their romance is a delicious slow burn built on earned trust, mutual devotion, gradual vulnerability, and the eventual realization that neither of them has to carry their burdens alone.
And then there’s Reddy, Hugh’s childhood rival turned best friend. He's charming, good-humored and oh-so lovable, serving as the perfect foil to Hugh’s curmudgeonly disposition.
More importantly, he consistently holds Hugh accountable for the inherently self-serving nature of some of his choices, which are otherwise easily dismissed by Hugh as a ‘necessary evil’ of his duties:
Case in point: "And can you say in all honesty that you did not manipulate this situation to suit your own desires?” Reddy cut back. “That your choices, consciously or not, were not a way to snare a woman who had previously refused to be caught?”
Clock it Reddy. Because someone had to say it.
That said, the novel wasn't without its flaws.
My biggest struggle was connecting with the story and characters in the opening chapters. The reader is asked to absorb a lot of information about character histories, politics, social hierarchy and the magic system before the narrative truly finds its momentum. And because of this, I found it hard to feel emotionally invested in anything that was happening until I was a third of the way through the book.
There was also a stretch in the latter half of the story where I started to fear the characters had completely lost the plot.
They became so preoccupied with ruminating over their forbidden romantic feelings, pursuing side quests, and reconnecting with old acquaintances, all of which felt unrelated to the main task at hand. I eventually found myself screaming into my Kindle for them to get their heads back in the game so I could get back into the action. Which seemed to work because they regained their focus soon after.
The final act is filled with fast-paced action, shocking revelations, and a twist I truly didn't see coming.
And then Bracken thrusts us to the crumbling edge of a harrowing cliff and leaves us dangling with that ending…
I was not prepared for how abruptly this book concludes and didn't realize it was part of a duology. We're left sitting with a lot of unanswered questions and unresolved plot threads until book two is released.
But despite the slower start and occasional pacing issues, I was ultimately won over by the endearing characters, inventive and immersive magic system, and heart-warming romance.
3.5 stars.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Until that wire hits with the fortune she's due...
The aristocrats of Albion looked at Viola and saw a pawn: a lowborn woman with a rare and valuable gift who they assumed they could easily extort into solving their problems.
Viola, however, is not the one (or the two). She’s an ingenious, enterprising diva who decided to turn their trap into her leverage and lay claim to the wealth and legacy that's rightfully hers.
Though the egomaniacal men who roped her into this mess won't let her walk away victorious without a fight…
Immortal Rose is an inventive blend of Regency-inspired fantasy, murder mystery, political intrigue, and fairy folklore all wrapped up into a story that uses magic as a vehicle to explore the inextricable link between privilege and power.
Viola is a perfumer descended from fairy ancestry who possesses a supernatural sense of smell and the rare ability to weave magic into bespoke fragrances.
In the kingdom of Albion, however, fairy magic is tightly controlled by the aristocracy. The wealthy openly profit and benefit from enchanted perfumes capable of manipulating the mind, body and emotions, while the very people whose ancestry makes such magic possible are marginalized. Commoners are criminalized for accessing magic that nobles freely exploit, creating a deeply inequitable system designed to keep power concentrated in the hands of the wealthy.
As a result, Viola is forced to conceal her abilities and sell her fragrances through illicit channels to survive.
That’s until renowned perfumer William Rosebourne is murdered, sending shockwaves through Albion’s elite circles and leaving the kingdom vulnerable at a critical moment, as he was in the midst of developing a perfume that the fate of the kingdom depends on.
Enter Hugh Foxcourt, royal spymaster who is determined to protect the kingdom from nefarious threats by any means necessary.
And unfortunately for Viola, those means now include her.
Together, Hugh and Viola must race against the clock to procure a long-forgotten fairy essence and complete the titular perfume, Immortal Rose, before the kingdom's vulnerability is exploited.
What follows is a richly layered fantasy brimming with action, mystery, a slow-burn romance, and a thought-provoking examination of classism and patriarchy.
One of my favorite aspects of the story was the undercurrent of wry humor woven throughout the entire narrative. Even in darker moments, there's a levity to the dialogue and character interactions that kept the story light. The witty banter had me laughing out loud on several occasions.
The fragrance-based magic system was also beautifully executed. Bracken builds a lush, opulent world with a unique sensory quality where scents carry emotion, memory, and even foreshadowing.
And that magic system is deeply embedded within the social and political fabric of Albion in a way that meaningfully develops the story's themes, which I appreciated.
The characters were equally compelling.
Viola, the FMC, is fiercely intelligent, independent, and competent. She's been through her share of adversity in life which has only strengthened her resolve and taught her to never leave herself at the mercy of anyone, least of all a man. She has a dry yet modest sense of humor, a natural curiosity, and an earnest intelligence that felt vaguely reminiscent of Emily Wilde. I took great pleasure in watching her consistently outmaneuver men who underestimated her.
Our MMC Hugh, on the other hand, is a haughty, sardonic spymaster with a good heart that's often buried beneath duty, secrecy, and questionable decision-making.
What makes his character arc satisfying is how the novel doesn't excuse his morally grey behavior simply because his intentions are noble. Hugh is forced to confront the consequences of his actions, particularly where Viola is concerned, and witnessing his journey to acknowledge the harm it causes and gradually overcome this aspect of his character was one of the most rewarding parts of the story.
Together, their romance is a delicious slow burn built on earned trust, mutual devotion, gradual vulnerability, and the eventual realization that neither of them has to carry their burdens alone.
And then there’s Reddy, Hugh’s childhood rival turned best friend. He's charming, good-humored and oh-so lovable, serving as the perfect foil to Hugh’s curmudgeonly disposition.
More importantly, he consistently holds Hugh accountable for the inherently self-serving nature of some of his choices, which are otherwise easily dismissed by Hugh as a ‘necessary evil’ of his duties:
Case in point: "And can you say in all honesty that you did not manipulate this situation to suit your own desires?” Reddy cut back. “That your choices, consciously or not, were not a way to snare a woman who had previously refused to be caught?”
Clock it Reddy. Because someone had to say it.
That said, the novel wasn't without its flaws.
My biggest struggle was connecting with the story and characters in the opening chapters. The reader is asked to absorb a lot of information about character histories, politics, social hierarchy and the magic system before the narrative truly finds its momentum. And because of this, I found it hard to feel emotionally invested in anything that was happening until I was a third of the way through the book.
There was also a stretch in the latter half of the story where I started to fear the characters had completely lost the plot.
They became so preoccupied with ruminating over their forbidden romantic feelings, pursuing side quests, and reconnecting with old acquaintances, all of which felt unrelated to the main task at hand. I eventually found myself screaming into my Kindle for them to get their heads back in the game so I could get back into the action. Which seemed to work because they regained their focus soon after.
The final act is filled with fast-paced action, shocking revelations, and a twist I truly didn't see coming.
And then Bracken thrusts us to the crumbling edge of a harrowing cliff and leaves us dangling with that ending…
I was not prepared for how abruptly this book concludes and didn't realize it was part of a duology. We're left sitting with a lot of unanswered questions and unresolved plot threads until book two is released.
But despite the slower start and occasional pacing issues, I was ultimately won over by the endearing characters, inventive and immersive magic system, and heart-warming romance.
3.5 stars.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Did Not Finish
September 2, 2026Закидую на 80%
Могла б вже й дочитать, але абсолютно нема бажання. Навіть з доволі непоганою начиткою.
Так багатообіцяюче все починалось, а в результаті все як завжди скотилось до «хочу тебе так шо вже дихать не можу, але разом ми не можем буть бо придумали 100500 тисяч причин чому ми не можем бути разом».
Дуже люблю англійський сеттінг епохи регентства, ще й стиль у авторки такий красивий. А от герої одне кліше. Їхня мотивація, вчинки, кохання, хотіння…
А так хотілося якоїсь якісної любовної історії
Могла б вже й дочитать, але абсолютно нема бажання. Навіть з доволі непоганою начиткою.
Так багатообіцяюче все починалось, а в результаті все як завжди скотилось до «хочу тебе так шо вже дихать не можу, але разом ми не можем буть бо придумали 100500 тисяч причин чому ми не можем бути разом».
Дуже люблю англійський сеттінг епохи регентства, ще й стиль у авторки такий красивий. А от герої одне кліше. Їхня мотивація, вчинки, кохання, хотіння…
А так хотілося якоїсь якісної любовної історії
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
NOOOO STOP IT CAN'T END LIKE THAT?!?! You're telling me I'll have to wait until like summer/fall 2027 to find out the answer to that last sentence??? Oh, that is absolutely evil😩
As a huge fan of Alexandra Bracken's The Darkest Mind series from my teen years, I was absolutely ecstatic when I heard that she was coming out with her adult debut, Immortal Rose! And wow. Guys it was SOOO GOOD. The magic system!! The mystery!! The characters!! The romance!!! Oh my god, the yearning was absolutely everything. Viola and Hugh have my heart, I am in love with them.
Viola Rosebourne is the type of character you will constantly be wanting to hug. She's had it soo rough and seeing her slowly let down her walls and feel comfort at the Foxcourt House with the other characters?? It was so wholesome. I loved her wit, stubbornness, fearlessness and kindness. I laughed so many times because of Viola, she's so funny omg. Especially with Hugh!! (Though Hugh would disagree on it being funny). Viola deserves every good thing to happen to her, I neeeeed her happiness ASAP.
And then there's Hugh. HUGH THORNTON, THE MAN THAT YOU ARE!! If you loved Liam from TDM, then you'll so love Hugh!! Though Liam is more of a cinnamon roll but oh my gosh I was so getting some Liam vibes in Hugh!! These guys are so romantic😩 But truly, Hugh really met his match in Viola, their banter??? The beginning especially had me laughing so much. The whole nib and nob thing was so funny please. And their vulnerable moments??? My heart😭 The way he was soo down bad for Viola, I loved seeing it. He's so sweet and affectionate, I swooned like woww this guy!!!! His desperation to try not feeling anything towards Viola but unable to resist--he truly was in constant turmoil thinking about her HAHA. Getting Hugh's POV was a blessing. And I seriously love everyone else, like Reddy!! Mrs. Keyes and Mrs. Silvers!! Felicity!!! Basically the whole Foxcourt household, they were such a fun cast of characters and I really hope nothing bad happens to them in the next book.
I really loved the world so much. The way society hates anyone with fairyborn magic, and yet the nobles will gladly use the magic from their perfumes for their own use?? Typical coming from high society ugh. It was so interesting see how Viola's magic worked! To be able to glean information on someone based off of their scents, not just their current emotions but also some pieces of their past?? So so interesting. I wonder if there's more to her magic too?? To be continued in book 2 but I'm veryyy intrigued👀 And the plot!! Truly the amount of reveals at the end that made my jaw drop???? It just kept getting more and more wild.
Now for the overall pacing of this book, I do have to say it was pretty slow. I found myself taking awhile to get through the first half and putting the book down many times, but past the midway point, things picked up and I was definitely engrossed. I don't mind slower-paced books so it didn't affect my experience too much, but it really helped that I was loving the characters from the very beginning and was so excited to see how things would play out!
My mind is seriously still reeling over that ending, I NEED book 2 immediately. The second I read that last line I was praying that wasn't the end even though I just KNEW it would be... and unfortunately that was the case. I flipped the next page and genuinely I've never hated seeing the Acknowledgements page more. Like I just wanted one more word!!! One!!! I wanted to confirm something but now I have to wait help... the thought of waiting so long is going to be the death of me. I'm so excited for book 2 I cannot express it enough, I NEED TO SEE VIOLA AND HUGH AGAIN.
Highly recommend Immortal Rose if you're looking to read a slow-burn regency-inspired romantasy with lotss of yearning and a unique magic system!!
Thank you Avon for the ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!!!
As a huge fan of Alexandra Bracken's The Darkest Mind series from my teen years, I was absolutely ecstatic when I heard that she was coming out with her adult debut, Immortal Rose! And wow. Guys it was SOOO GOOD. The magic system!! The mystery!! The characters!! The romance!!! Oh my god, the yearning was absolutely everything. Viola and Hugh have my heart, I am in love with them.
Viola Rosebourne is the type of character you will constantly be wanting to hug. She's had it soo rough and seeing her slowly let down her walls and feel comfort at the Foxcourt House with the other characters?? It was so wholesome. I loved her wit, stubbornness, fearlessness and kindness. I laughed so many times because of Viola, she's so funny omg. Especially with Hugh!! (Though Hugh would disagree on it being funny). Viola deserves every good thing to happen to her, I neeeeed her happiness ASAP.
And then there's Hugh. HUGH THORNTON, THE MAN THAT YOU ARE!! If you loved Liam from TDM, then you'll so love Hugh!! Though Liam is more of a cinnamon roll but oh my gosh I was so getting some Liam vibes in Hugh!! These guys are so romantic😩 But truly, Hugh really met his match in Viola, their banter??? The beginning especially had me laughing so much. The whole nib and nob thing was so funny please. And their vulnerable moments??? My heart😭 The way he was soo down bad for Viola, I loved seeing it. He's so sweet and affectionate, I swooned like woww this guy!!!! His desperation to try not feeling anything towards Viola but unable to resist--he truly was in constant turmoil thinking about her HAHA. Getting Hugh's POV was a blessing. And I seriously love everyone else, like Reddy!! Mrs. Keyes and Mrs. Silvers!! Felicity!!! Basically the whole Foxcourt household, they were such a fun cast of characters and I really hope nothing bad happens to them in the next book.
I really loved the world so much. The way society hates anyone with fairyborn magic, and yet the nobles will gladly use the magic from their perfumes for their own use?? Typical coming from high society ugh. It was so interesting see how Viola's magic worked! To be able to glean information on someone based off of their scents, not just their current emotions but also some pieces of their past?? So so interesting. I wonder if there's more to her magic too?? To be continued in book 2 but I'm veryyy intrigued👀 And the plot!! Truly the amount of reveals at the end that made my jaw drop???? It just kept getting more and more wild.
Now for the overall pacing of this book, I do have to say it was pretty slow. I found myself taking awhile to get through the first half and putting the book down many times, but past the midway point, things picked up and I was definitely engrossed. I don't mind slower-paced books so it didn't affect my experience too much, but it really helped that I was loving the characters from the very beginning and was so excited to see how things would play out!
My mind is seriously still reeling over that ending, I NEED book 2 immediately. The second I read that last line I was praying that wasn't the end even though I just KNEW it would be... and unfortunately that was the case. I flipped the next page and genuinely I've never hated seeing the Acknowledgements page more. Like I just wanted one more word!!! One!!! I wanted to confirm something but now I have to wait help... the thought of waiting so long is going to be the death of me. I'm so excited for book 2 I cannot express it enough, I NEED TO SEE VIOLA AND HUGH AGAIN.
Highly recommend Immortal Rose if you're looking to read a slow-burn regency-inspired romantasy with lotss of yearning and a unique magic system!!
Thank you Avon for the ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!!!
April 25, 2026
Update 23/08/26
Coming back to this story after 4 months was amazing experience and made me love Immortal Rose even more.
Casting Nicola Barber and Christian Coulson as Viola and Hugh was simply speaking perfect. The performance they delivered was flawless, they caught perfectly the emotions and each important moment got expressed in the most memorable way. It's one of these few books where I like audiobook a little bit more simply because of how much depth characters gained thanks to narrators!
Thank you Avon and Netgalley for ALC, I loved every second of this audiobook!
𑣲⋆
Not only is Immortal Rose a new release from an author I loved in my teens, it’s also a book I’d been waiting for with a lot of impatience. Was it worth the wait? Absolutely.
The story starts off slowly, with richly descriptive prose that took me a few chapters to fully settle into — but once I did, I was completely hooked. The concept of magic tied to fragrance is beautifully executed. You can tell the author put real thought into it, carefully weaving the system together so everything feels cohesive. I tend to gravitate toward unconventional magic systems, and this one delivered effortlessly.
One of the book’s strongest points — just like in the author’s previous works — is the authenticity of the characters. Hugh and Viola’s resentment toward each other feels genuine, and the gradual softening of that tension is handled with care. The romance develops at a natural pace, leaving you constantly wanting more… 👀
And the twists? I was genuinely shocked. I didn’t expect certain turns at all, and I loved being so thoroughly misled along the way.
An easy 5 stars for originality, execution, and pure enjoyment.
Thank you Alexandra Bracken, Avon and Netgalley for the ARC. 𑣲⋆
Coming back to this story after 4 months was amazing experience and made me love Immortal Rose even more.
Casting Nicola Barber and Christian Coulson as Viola and Hugh was simply speaking perfect. The performance they delivered was flawless, they caught perfectly the emotions and each important moment got expressed in the most memorable way. It's one of these few books where I like audiobook a little bit more simply because of how much depth characters gained thanks to narrators!
Thank you Avon and Netgalley for ALC, I loved every second of this audiobook!
𑣲⋆
Not only is Immortal Rose a new release from an author I loved in my teens, it’s also a book I’d been waiting for with a lot of impatience. Was it worth the wait? Absolutely.
The story starts off slowly, with richly descriptive prose that took me a few chapters to fully settle into — but once I did, I was completely hooked. The concept of magic tied to fragrance is beautifully executed. You can tell the author put real thought into it, carefully weaving the system together so everything feels cohesive. I tend to gravitate toward unconventional magic systems, and this one delivered effortlessly.
One of the book’s strongest points — just like in the author’s previous works — is the authenticity of the characters. Hugh and Viola’s resentment toward each other feels genuine, and the gradual softening of that tension is handled with care. The romance develops at a natural pace, leaving you constantly wanting more… 👀
And the twists? I was genuinely shocked. I didn’t expect certain turns at all, and I loved being so thoroughly misled along the way.
An easy 5 stars for originality, execution, and pure enjoyment.
Thank you Alexandra Bracken, Avon and Netgalley for the ARC. 𑣲⋆
Currently Reading
March 23, 2026~Pre-read~ I HAVE AN ARC... so happy about this one! found family, sets and betrayals, slow burn with yearning, this has magic and fae! yes please..... :)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4⭐️s!
“𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚, 𝒊 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒍𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒔𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈.”
magical perfumes, a man who YEARNS, slow burn romance, and a murder mystery?! if you love the vibes of bridgerton, immortal rose by alexandra bracken will be right up your alley!
viola lockwood is our fmc who comes from a family line with fairy blood with the ability to smell people’s essences and get a sense of who they are based on their scent. she can also infuse magic into perfumes for different uses, which made for such a unique magic system! she’s independent, witty, and a little guarded when it comes to letting people in, and i really enjoyed her as an fmc.
and then there’s hugh thornton… this MAN. 🫠 he’s a little grumpy, has the biggest heart, and always feels like it’s his responsibility to take care of everyone around him. but most importantly? he is a YEARNER. this man would literally go to the ends of the earth for viola, and i ate it up!
“𝒊 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒅𝒊𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝒊 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒕, 𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒏 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒌𝒚. 𝒊 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔 𝒔𝒐 𝒏𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒓 𝒈𝒐𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎.”
the slow burn was slow burning with these two. the tension? so good. but the banter?! even better. watching their relationship slowly build had me kicking my feet and waiting for one of them to finally make the first move and DO SOMETHING 🙈.
i really enjoyed the side characters too! reddy’s comedic timing was everything, and the way he constantly riled up both hugh and viola had me laughing out loud.
the murder mystery kept things interesting, and i loved how the magic system was woven into a regency-era setting. it made the world feel fresh and different from other romantasy books i’ve read. the pacing of the main plot was a little slow for my liking at times, but the found family, banter, and building romance definitely made up for it.
the twists were so fun to unravel, and that cliffhanger at the end??? RUDE. 😭 i need answers immediately.
immortal rose releases august 18th! definitely add this one to your tbr if you’re a fan of slow burn regency romance, unique magic systems, forced proximity, murder mysteries, and bridgerton-level yearning. 🌹
thank you to avon books, harpercollins, netgalley, and alexandra bracken for sending me an e-arc and alc! 🫶🏼
“𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚, 𝒊 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒍𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒔𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈.”
magical perfumes, a man who YEARNS, slow burn romance, and a murder mystery?! if you love the vibes of bridgerton, immortal rose by alexandra bracken will be right up your alley!
viola lockwood is our fmc who comes from a family line with fairy blood with the ability to smell people’s essences and get a sense of who they are based on their scent. she can also infuse magic into perfumes for different uses, which made for such a unique magic system! she’s independent, witty, and a little guarded when it comes to letting people in, and i really enjoyed her as an fmc.
and then there’s hugh thornton… this MAN. 🫠 he’s a little grumpy, has the biggest heart, and always feels like it’s his responsibility to take care of everyone around him. but most importantly? he is a YEARNER. this man would literally go to the ends of the earth for viola, and i ate it up!
“𝒊 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒅𝒊𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝒊 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒕, 𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒏 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒌𝒚. 𝒊 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔 𝒔𝒐 𝒏𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒓 𝒈𝒐𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎.”
the slow burn was slow burning with these two. the tension? so good. but the banter?! even better. watching their relationship slowly build had me kicking my feet and waiting for one of them to finally make the first move and DO SOMETHING 🙈.
i really enjoyed the side characters too! reddy’s comedic timing was everything, and the way he constantly riled up both hugh and viola had me laughing out loud.
the murder mystery kept things interesting, and i loved how the magic system was woven into a regency-era setting. it made the world feel fresh and different from other romantasy books i’ve read. the pacing of the main plot was a little slow for my liking at times, but the found family, banter, and building romance definitely made up for it.
the twists were so fun to unravel, and that cliffhanger at the end??? RUDE. 😭 i need answers immediately.
immortal rose releases august 18th! definitely add this one to your tbr if you’re a fan of slow burn regency romance, unique magic systems, forced proximity, murder mysteries, and bridgerton-level yearning. 🌹
thank you to avon books, harpercollins, netgalley, and alexandra bracken for sending me an e-arc and alc! 🫶🏼
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