Immortal Rose

by Alexandra Bracken

This deluxe limited hardcover edition features beautiful stenciled edges and illustrated endpapers —available on the first printing only!

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.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Adult, Fantasy Romance, Fiction, Fae

496 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication August 13, 2026

About the author

Hi! 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

Reviews

[Maeghan 🦋 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

[Mai ༊*·˚]

ˏˋ 📓 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.

[Liana Gold]

The deluxe limited edition is simply breathtaking. This is an adult fantasy from the famous author of Lore. Immortal Rose focuses on House Rosebourne that has an intriguing gift--the ability to infuse fragrance with magic capable of manipulating the body, mind and emotion. This book loosely reminds me of the famous book 'Perfume' by Patrick Suskind where the sense of smell held intense emotional meanings.

Very excited to jump in it!


Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and th author Alexandra Bracken for an early copy.

Publication date: August 18, 2026

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 )

[⋆˚୨ৎ˚⋆ Kim ⋆˚୨ৎ˚⋆]

⋅˚₊‧ 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!

[Bookishness]

~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..... :)

[h i n d]

Auto buy author

[Noi (in & out)]

Hands down stunning

[tai ⋆☀︎. · Rating 5 out of 5]

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⋆

[Laura Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immortal Rose is an all new adult fantasy from Alexandra Bracken.

ARC Review
4.5/5 stars
Publish Date August 18, 2026

Viola Lockwood is a descendant of the House of Rosebourne, a family with the ability to create magical perfumes that can influence a person’s mind, body, and emotions. A gift that was inherited from their fae ancestor.

When Viola is caught selling enchanted perfumes on the black market, she is arrested and has no way out.

What to expect
Regency inspired romantasy
Enemies to lovers
He falls first
Slow burn
Yearning (Mr. Darcy hand flex)
Magical perfume
Marriage of convenience
Found family
Betrayal

An assassination attempt has left the king poisoned and the kingdom in a weakened state. Spy master Hugh Thorton is tasked with finding the descendant of Rosebourne to create Immortal Rose, the only thing that can save the king’s life.

In exchange for creating this extremely rare perfume, Viola is promised her freedom and the inheritance that is rightfully hers.

Viola and Hugh set out on a dangerous journey to gather the rare ingredients for Immortal Rose, all while uncovering secrets and facing deadly threats along the way.

The story is filled with mystery, political intrigue, and unexpected twists. I really enjoyed the slow burn romance between Hugh and Viola. Their dynamic was my favorite, with sharp banter and undeniable chemistry.

Thank you to Netgalley, Avon, Harper Voyager, and Alexandra Bracken for the eARC of Immortal Rose.

The idea of magical perfumes immediately caught my attention, and Alexandra Bracken delivered a beautiful and unique story. This was a fantastic start to a new series. I’m excited to see where it goes next.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhhhh!! This was so beautifully written with characters that felt so real and fully fleshed out. Alex absolutely killed me with that ending but I’m INVESTED.

If you like perfume and magic and historical romance vibes, you must read this!

[Denise Ruttan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this sweeping regency romantasy set in a fantastical version of England where fairies once ruled but died out, and now nobility fights for scraps of their now-illegal magic. Into this world bursts Viola Lockwood, a heroine for the ages who retains her agency throughout, when I usually dislike the power dynamics in heterosexual romance.

Viola is a perfumer who seeks to carry on her disgraced mother's legacy, who peddles her wares in a black market. I loved the use of perfume magic and the incorporation of scents throughout the story. And I just love a competent FMC. But she is caught up in a raid and imprisoned, until she is freed by a haughty earl who hopes she can make a legendary perfume that could save the king from a fatal illness using fairyborn secrets.

But the lovingly foppish earl and his household are not all they seem. He's also a spy and there are many layers of conspiracy and palace intrigue afoot as Viola and Foxcourt engage in a battle of wills and soon catch feelings. I usually don't care for plots laden with palace intrigue, but I loved the many layers of this twisty plot that kept me guessing.

Their dynamic in heterosexual romance is one I do love and one I don't see often enough in the queer romance I typically read. A particular brand of enemies to lovers where the tension and heat is sustained just right. It's hard to do enemies to lovers well; either you think they're just not friends and find each other annoying, or it's all hate and no heat. This book got this dynamic just perfect.

I loved Foxcourt and Viola together, even when fiery Viola, who sees marriage as a cage, agrees to marriage to the earl to gain clemency privileges of the peerage. You can tell that she wants to be married to Hugh at this point, and the reader can see that it will be a marriage of equals and not a forced bond.

I did wish that we got more of Viola's work in preparing the perfumes because I found her competence so beguiling. We don't actually get to see her spend much time working, she is mostly dueling mental swords with Hugh or evading capture. I loved their banter though, and how she teased him about nibs and nobs. I found the magic system solidly explained as well and it was intriguing how much of a part of this world scents became.

I appreciated the lush historical setting and how this author finally did not use modern language in the dialogue like so many historical fantasy epics do.

A small quibble, I loathed Hugh's nickname for Viola, "sweetheart." I mean yes she was kind and goodhearted, but what I loved about her was that she was also brash, bold and a big personality. I did not see her as a sweetheart at all. That nickname was a reduction of her fantastic character that stayed consistent even after she found love with Hugh.

I felt the book was also a bit too long, but it had a lot going on.

That ending though, what a cliffhanger! I am eager to read more in this series. What an incredible start. Also can we just take a moment to admire that pretty cover. Finally a cover that lives up to its promise.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kaylee Pereyra · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 but VERYYYYYYYYYY FUN

[Sarah (berriesandbooks) (sorta back) · Rating 4 out of 5]

regency-era, spymaster, arranged marriage, and yearning from the quotes i’ve seen…i’m so ready for this ✨🌹💕

[Jenny P]

6% of the way in and this is already extremely promising! Really excited to have gotten this ARC.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for this early copy of Immortal Rose.

I am obsessed with this book! Imagine if a romantasy book had a baby with Bridgerton, Peaky Blinders, and Sherlock Holmes. You’d get Immortal Rose.

I LOVE the FMC and MMC in this. Their banter is everything. I loved the progression of their relationship and how they each peeled back their layers to be vulnerable with each other. Despite coming from different walks of life, they both understood and accepted each other.

Let’s talk about how my guy, Hugh, yearns. He steals a painting of her mother for her, he saves her life multiple times, and he secretly fears for her safety and won’t let her go anywhere without him. Everything he does for her is done selflessly and in secret because he doesn’t want to open himself up to be vulnerable.

And Viola is such an amazing FMC. She’s got so much confidence in herself despite her upbringing and humble beginnings. She is brave, smart, cunning, funny, witty, and sarcastic. The scene with her and “Drink of the Deep” is one of my favorite scenes in the whole book.

The plot twists and mysteries unraveled slowly but steadily and kept me hooked the whole way through.

Do yourself a favor and read this when I releases in August.

[Ashleu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hells Tits! Bracken's adult debut is everything I've come to love from her writing: a dark action packed story with found family, romance, snark, that's ultimately a fiercely feminist tale that is much needed in the genre. As a bonus, Immortal Rose it's steamy as hell.

Viola and Hugh give a fresh take on falling in love and protecting those who you love (and hate -- because we know what they say about the line between love and hate) and what that means for not only you, but those around you. Using her love of perfume and scents, Bracken takes the reader on a journey from the first page to the last. I can't wait to read the follow up to see how everything comes together (or knowing Bracken's previous works...doesn't come together)

[Chance]

One of my favourite authors releasing her adult debut? Inspired by the regency era? With spice? Yes please!!!

[Olivia | SpilltheTBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

eARC Review: Immortal Rose by Alexandra Bracken
5 ⭐️ | 1.5 🌶️ (some descriptive scenes)

I am speechless. Writing this review is a feat in of itself. As I wrap my mind around what I just read, I can’t help but stare helplessly at my notes page.

Alexandra Bracken is a master world builder. I have read, countless fantasy, historical fiction, and even historical fantasy, but this books plot feels new. It features a magic system based off of the power of fragrance and perfumes. Our main character can read the intentions and emotions of others based off of their smell. This isn’t something I have ever experienced as a reader and made this book all the more alluring to read. I don’t believe there’s anything like it in existence which feels exciting. I am confident that if you pick this up you will be as in entranced I was.

I trust you to read the summary but wanted to share the barebones of what this story is about. This is a Regency era fantasy story. It is also a slow burn romance and has a mystery that will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat. Or if you are like me, falling out of your seat. You will fall for these characters and root for them with all of your heart. These characters are well rounded and undergo great change. By the end you will only wish to read more due to a well placed cliffhanger that left me aching for the next book.

That cliffhanger wrecked me. I need more! I should’ve known that would be the case, after reading her novel Silver in the Bone, but apparently, I am a glutton for punishment.

I’ll admit it starts off relatively slow. For the first 30% of the book I was struggling with getting my bearings. Thank goodness for Kindle’s ability to highlight words and look up their meanings. However, after that 30% mark, I simply could not put the book down.
Alex’s writing will transport you from this world and into hers seamlessly. She paints a vivid picture through her imagery and talented writing. I felt like I could smell everything that she described as if I was there myself. I promise pushing through that first 30% is worth it.

I want to highlight some of the other features of this book that I think will make you want to read this when it comes out on August 18th:

* Regency era society and politics
* Fairy lineage
* Magical perfumes
* Mutual yearning
* Slow burn romance (with a dash of spice)
* Marriage of convenience
* Found family
* Family secrets and betrayal
* Viola and Hugh (you don’t know them yet but you will)


Should this spill into your TBR this August? Yes please so I can talk to somebody about it. I believe if you are a fan of historical fantasy and mystery this story will capture you. I know you’ll fall in love with Viola and Hugh as well as the rest of their friends. Hugh is book husband material for me so if that doesn’t convince you I don’t know what will.

Thank you Alex, Avon and Harper Voyager (Harper Collin’s), and NetGalley for gifting me this advanced eARC copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed my reading experience. With that being said, I would like to be given immediate access to the next book— please and thank you.

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, Avon & Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for the eARC of Immortal Rose! 🌹

Wow! First off, Alexandra Bracken’s writing is illustrative and ethereal, lending itself to an impressively atmospheric setting and overall story. The attention given to the characters and their backstories made me so invested in them and how their arcs would play out. I loooooovvveeeddddd the regency era vibes and the magic via perfume element. It was so original and compelling, and I’ve never read anything like it before. The author masterfully wove scheming and politics into each chapter in a way that kept me wanting to turn the page over and over.

And Hugh and Viola??? Couldn’t get enough of those two. The tension? The YEARNING? The holding back? 🤭 It was everything to me. I could’ve read 1,000 pages of it. I was completely sucked into their world and their story, unable to tear myself away for hours each time I sat down to read. I am so blown away by this book! The ending left my jaw on the floor, I really hope there is more to come! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Anna Sincock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-ARC! I really enjoyed this one! This is a slow burn romantasy that weaves together magical elements into the art of perfume making. I loved the concept of magical perfumes being a lost art with the potential for both good and evil. This story was more character driven than plot driven with a heavy emphasis on found family, self discovery, and good vs evil. The plot held enough mystery to keep me turning pages all the way through to a very abrupt the cliff hanger ending! It felt like there was way too much being crammed into the final couple of chapters—it was a little exhausting tbh— but I can appreciate the intent. The MMC, Hugh, is one of my favorite characters I’ve read this year—hands down. I’m absolutely looking forward to the next installment!

[Izzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded up

so after neglecting my duties for a good two hours to read this book, ive decided that 1) i need to stop procrastinating and 2) i am not appreciating my perfumes enough

PLOT: Holy shit.
Immortal Rose is one of those books that just makes sense. The author obviously had a plan and didn't just stick random shit together in hopes of calling it a "plot twist". No, there was a fucking leadup and you kind of suspect them but not really... But also is it them? And then it turns out it's not them and no, it's the other guy that also kind of made sense. But once the twist gets revealed that guys makes MORE sense.
and and and guys they don't just ignore their feelings for some stupid reason that makes no sense and and and and viola makes really really good decisions that truly put the capital c in Common sense.
THEY DON'T YEARN FOR THE SAKE OF YEARNING; NO, THEY YEARN FOR THE SAKE OF EVERYTHING ELSE
As someone who rarely jumps on the "theory" bandwagon, I have to say that this book did indeed accomplish the task of making me have all these ideas as to what's going to happen after that damned ending.

CHARACTERS:
HUGH: The biggest fault about this man was his name. Think Matthew Macfadyen Mr. Darcy, down to the fricking proposal. And the unemployedness... we never saw this guy actually do something to get paid. And he communicates. COMMUNICATES.
VIOLA: She's brilliant. She is so fucking brilliant. Oh my god. For once in my life I have found a book about a competent FMC who doesn't yell about how "she's too tough" for no reason. She takes matters into her own hands but in a manner that's not overly flashy or fighty and isn't a bitch for no reason. Women in STEM but in Victorian times, amiright?
REDDY: heheheheehehehehe how old is he again? bc if the age gaps not terrible then him x elly??? He's funny and he's hot. He's also flirty. Captain Rolfe but upgraded. And he's a POC in Victorian England that is very, very competent.
THE SIDE CHARACTERS: Everyone was so well written. They all had their own personalities and backstories. I will say, though, Mrs. Keyes's backstory was kind of strange in the way that how did Foxwood collect them? And you're telling me she wouldn't have taken matters into her own hand and investigated certain shit? No, her and Mrs. Silver are too fucking badass for that. Kind of out of character.

so yeah. book two hates to see me coming.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars…I enjoyed the concept of perfume having magical abilities and the uniqueness of that concept. Overall, it was a good read with a sufficient amount of side characters however, I just felt like the writing was lacking in intensity and just had a hard time concentrating and enjoying the story.
#ImmortalRoseDeluxeLimitedEdition #NetGalley

[Ashlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Desiree · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic romantasy set in a regency setting and filled with mystery and flirtation. I had a really good time reading this one. I will automatically buy and read anything Alexandra Bracken writes, so I was thrilled to get the opportunity to read this adult debut of hers. Let me tell you it completely hit the mark! It has everything you could possibly want in a good book. The plot was engaging, the story unique, the character’s loveable, and the romance! The romance was so good! It was the perfect blend of yearning with a dash of spice. It was a lot of fun and filled with twists and an ending you won’t see coming!

Viola Lockwood has the unique ability to infuse perfume with magic. A gift that has the potential to save the kingdom of Albion. When Viola finds herself in a desperate situation, she has little choice but to agree to assist the royal spymaster, Hugh Thornton. In exchange for Viola’s help in developing a perfume needed to help save Albion she will be rewarded with everything her illegitimacy had denied her. As Viola and Hugh race to find a missing ingredient needed to craft the Immortal Rose perfume, they begin to realize just how dangerous their task has become. With bodies appearing dead and death threats around every corner, developing this perfume might just come at a cost Viola is unwilling to pay.

I really liked how incredibly original the idea of incorporating perfumes with magic was in this book. I have a new appreciation for scents now. I enjoyed the side characters so much. I loved that they each had such a defined personality, scent, and backstory. The found family aspect they all had in this was very wholesome and heartening. Viola was such a strong character, and I was delighted in how independent she was and how she fought for herself. Hugh is a man you’re going to want to salivate over. He’s handsome, mysterious, and just a bit morally grey. I loved the romance in this book. I was enthralled with the push and pull between Viola and Hugh. The yearning in this was exquisite. The spice and the banter were perfect. I appreciated that the twists were unpredictable. I was genuinely shocked by a lot of the turns this book took. The last sentence in this book is going to have me dwelling for the foreseeable future!

If you’re a fan of Bridgerton, morally grey men, a strong female character, found family, and smelling all the candles you come across I think you’ll really enjoy this book.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My review is based solely on my own opinion, and I appreciate the chance to have read Immortal Rose by Alexandra Bracken.

[Jessica Schwenke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Alexandra Bracken for an opportunity to read this ARC. It did not disappoint and I cannot wait to delve back into this world after that cliffhanger!

Bracken transports you into the world of Albion that emanates Victorian England but where rare fairy magic in the form of perfume can be both powerful and dangerous. Viola Lockwood is one of the few who possesses such capabilities and she is tasked with making a perfume to help save her kingdom. This delightful and whimsical story is also full of mystery and intrigue with beautiful language and tantalizing descriptions of scents that come off the page. By mixing art and science through perfume making, the reader is shown the connection between memory, love, and a little magic.

AND THE TENSION!!! I couldn’t wait to see what happened with the enemies to lovers plot, group of misfits and outcasts living under one roof, and whether the kingdom would be saved. With a sassy heroine full of sharp wit and strength of character, you couldn’t help but root for her to have a happy ending. The twists and turns of this book in a world where everything and everyone is not as they seem left me eager to turn every page. I hope Bracken is already working on a sequel because the end was so unsatisfying in that I could not immediately read more.

For readers who love Jane Austen and Bridgerton seeking a book low in spice, high in yearning, and with a magical twist, please pick this up!

[Caty · Rating 5 out of 5]

*this book was received as an ARC from NetGalley and Avon Harper Voyager*

Wowwwww this was *chefs kiss*
I loved how unique almost every part of this book was. Magic, fairies, rakish men and a mystery? I’m sold.

Every character was so unique and while some pieces of the plot I was able to predict, it did not detract from the story itself. I thought this was going to be a standalone so needless to say I’m frothing at the mouth for the next book.

Normally in stories, I am indifferent to the descriptions of the scent of each character, but I loved the reasoning for it in this story and how it plays into the magic system. I will absolutely be recommending this to everyone.

[Lisa Penninga · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the use of smell in this book; Viola’s way to describe people is really unique and I love the foreshadowing of it! I adored Hugh’s character, and how Oliver is such a foil to him. It is an epic read with plot twists, quests, and royalty corruptions along the way. It felt like Beauty & the Beast enchantment with a little Crooked Kingdom/Six of Crows world building. I cannot wait to read the next one- what a cliffhanger!

[Alyxus Celine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was incredible, it took me about 3 chapters to really get into the story because it felt like a lot of moving pieces at once but the pacing for the rest of the book was incredible.
this was also a really fun and different approach to a fantasy novel, i loved the use of perfume as magic and the descriptions of different scents and essence as viola moves through the world.
the pacing for the romance was so good and i cannot wait for the next one!

[Ashley]

I really wanted to like this. It has everything that I wanted in a romantasy and seemed pretty original, but just wasn’t working and I didn’t want to pick it back up. Thank you NetGallery for the arc.

Dnf @ 30%