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A Debt of Ice and Embers
In Brunemar, Lord Luceran Frostwyn commands the Aurevault mine, the land locked in eternal winter, and every human who lives beneath his rule. Every year, a tithe is owed.
This year, my father cannot pay.
When he is summoned to the Winter Lord’s castle to answer for his debt, I make a bargain that binds my fate to the frost. I volunteer to take my father's place in the mine until the debt is paid.
Luceran agrees.
Now I must endure a frozen castle and the presence of a cruel Fae whose monstrous past, soaked in blood and betrayal, haunts these lands.
But the longer I remain in his court, the more I learn that Luceran Frostwyn is fighting something far darker than grief and loneliness… and thawing his heart may be the most dangerous bargain of all.
This is a full length wintry standalone novel which takes place before the events of A Bargain of Smoke and Vines.
This year, my father cannot pay.
When he is summoned to the Winter Lord’s castle to answer for his debt, I make a bargain that binds my fate to the frost. I volunteer to take my father's place in the mine until the debt is paid.
Luceran agrees.
Now I must endure a frozen castle and the presence of a cruel Fae whose monstrous past, soaked in blood and betrayal, haunts these lands.
But the longer I remain in his court, the more I learn that Luceran Frostwyn is fighting something far darker than grief and loneliness… and thawing his heart may be the most dangerous bargain of all.
This is a full length wintry standalone novel which takes place before the events of A Bargain of Smoke and Vines.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 31, 2025
53 people are currently reading
292 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 3, 2026
Sometimes you pick up a book that just sucks you in and doesn’t let go. This was one. It’s beautifully written and the story grips you from start to finish. The slow burn perfect, the FMC relatable, and the MMC perfect. A true enemies to lovers. I finished this book within 24 hours I couldn’t put it down.
Pick this up if you like:
- enemies to lovers
- slow burn
- dark fantasy romance
- fairytale retellings
Pick this up if you like:
- enemies to lovers
- slow burn
- dark fantasy romance
- fairytale retellings
December 31, 2025
Absolutely amazing another fantastic from J.L Tomlinson. Loved every second
January 7, 2026
Beauty and the Beast coded but he’s the winter fae lord and can shift into a wolf! This book was an absolute dream to read, pulls you into its wintry embrace from the very beginning and doesn’t let go. It was perfectly paced, emotionally gripping, beautifully written, rich characters and all the twists and turns to keep you sat. It’s a perfect standalone read but I’m sad I have to leave this world.
January 2, 2026
4⭐️
2🌶️
This is a standalone wintery fantasy romance story. It’s set in the same world as her completed duology (book 1 A Bargain of Smoke and Vines) but set hundreds of years before then. You don’t have to read that duology first to read this (but I still recommend you go read that, because it’s awesome 😊)
He’s the Winter Fae Lord who plunged the land into eternal winter, she’s the human who bargains her servitude to save her father. Neve’s father is summoned by Lord Luceran to answer for his unpaid tithes and debts. To save her father from being sent to the mines, she instead offers up herself to settle the debt. Now serving in the bitterly cold (and empty) estate of Luceran, her only goal is to survive and pay off the debt.
Luceran has a wicked reputation. One that’s deadly and makes him feared throughout the realm. But how much of that reputation is true and what truly lies beneath the icy exterior of the brutal warrior turned Lord. And while Neve just wants to keep her head down and work, she can’t help but get into trouble and drive Luceran crazy breaking all his rules.
The man with the searing mix matched eyes watches her, and when the evil buried deep beneath the land seems to take a liking to Neve, does what he can to protect her, no matter the cost. Fae and humans aren’t allowed to be together, but will their bubbling tension risk them breaking ALL the rules?
We have a little bit of spice in here but some serious tension built up. This is a standalone, so their story is wrapped up in the book. I thought maybe it was going to be another duology when I first dove into the book but I was wrong 😊 (even if I think and would love more of these 2!)
2🌶️
This is a standalone wintery fantasy romance story. It’s set in the same world as her completed duology (book 1 A Bargain of Smoke and Vines) but set hundreds of years before then. You don’t have to read that duology first to read this (but I still recommend you go read that, because it’s awesome 😊)
He’s the Winter Fae Lord who plunged the land into eternal winter, she’s the human who bargains her servitude to save her father. Neve’s father is summoned by Lord Luceran to answer for his unpaid tithes and debts. To save her father from being sent to the mines, she instead offers up herself to settle the debt. Now serving in the bitterly cold (and empty) estate of Luceran, her only goal is to survive and pay off the debt.
Luceran has a wicked reputation. One that’s deadly and makes him feared throughout the realm. But how much of that reputation is true and what truly lies beneath the icy exterior of the brutal warrior turned Lord. And while Neve just wants to keep her head down and work, she can’t help but get into trouble and drive Luceran crazy breaking all his rules.
The man with the searing mix matched eyes watches her, and when the evil buried deep beneath the land seems to take a liking to Neve, does what he can to protect her, no matter the cost. Fae and humans aren’t allowed to be together, but will their bubbling tension risk them breaking ALL the rules?
We have a little bit of spice in here but some serious tension built up. This is a standalone, so their story is wrapped up in the book. I thought maybe it was going to be another duology when I first dove into the book but I was wrong 😊 (even if I think and would love more of these 2!)
January 19, 2026
Beauty & the beast vibes. There’s a lot about this story I loved and enjoyed. It was actually refreshing to read about an FMC who was NOT trained to be an assassin or compete in deadly trials. She was just an ordinary girl.
But there was a lot left untold:
- what happened with the mines & human workers?
- WTF was Marlayna doing with Luceran?
- why does Atilia have so much beef with Neve?
- are fae & humans still off limits?
Sad to know this was just a prequel to a different series with different characters. I would have loved to see this story continued!
But there was a lot left untold:
- what happened with the mines & human workers?
- WTF was Marlayna doing with Luceran?
- why does Atilia have so much beef with Neve?
- are fae & humans still off limits?
Sad to know this was just a prequel to a different series with different characters. I would have loved to see this story continued!
January 12, 2026
This was a quick romantasy read with Beauty and the Beast vibe. It was steadily paced and had a nice cast of characters. The world building suffered a bit since it was a standalone plus the ending felt a bit rushed but I enjoyed the writing style and might check out this author's other works. And the cover art is simply gorgeous.
Review of advance copy received from Author
LOOOVE this angsty, TRUE enemies to lovers, passionate, beautiful Romantasy.
This story rips all of the emotions from your soul, and I couldn't get enough. Thank you, Jo (JL Tomlinson, Author) for the ARC. It's absolutely beautiful and I love it.
This story rips all of the emotions from your soul, and I couldn't get enough. Thank you, Jo (JL Tomlinson, Author) for the ARC. It's absolutely beautiful and I love it.
January 4, 2026
Perfect winter fantasy read
I really enjoyed this book! Forbidden love, political intrigue, a touch of horror, grumpy mmc/sunshine fiesty fmc and the perfect amount of spice! I read this in less than 2 days!
I really enjoyed this book! Forbidden love, political intrigue, a touch of horror, grumpy mmc/sunshine fiesty fmc and the perfect amount of spice! I read this in less than 2 days!
January 10, 2026
I was not sure what to expect when I saw this on BookTok. I was pleasantly surprised how quickly I was drawn to the characters and storyline.
If you’re looking for a standalone book, I would highly recommend it!
If you’re looking for a standalone book, I would highly recommend it!
January 9, 2026
I really enjoyed this!!!
January 16, 2026
Worth reading, good story. Meh writing style.
January 17, 2026
I wanted to love this book so much but there were many times i wanted to stop, i felt It was slow. I liked the idea may be It just needed to be shorter 🤷🏼♀️
January 17, 2026
best book i’ve read in ages
i could hardly put this book down, absolutely wonderful story line. had me all the way till the end of book
i could hardly put this book down, absolutely wonderful story line. had me all the way till the end of book
January 20, 2026
Blood red and white
Wonderful, great, entertaining and unpredictable! J.L. Tomlinson writes with such depth of emotion and amazing storytelling that each page is a gift !
Wonderful, great, entertaining and unpredictable! J.L. Tomlinson writes with such depth of emotion and amazing storytelling that each page is a gift !
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews