A Debt of Ice and Embers

The Sundered Fates #0

by J.L. Tomlinson

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.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Paranormal Romance

279 pages, Paperback

Published December 31, 2025

Reviews

[bella fazzati · Rating 4 out of 5]

the way i almost dnf this and ended up loving the end?? 😮‍💨✊🏻❤️‍🩹

[Dee Mannine · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Liz Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Devon Knick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good! I wish there had been more in the ending because I still have a question or two, but overall it was a fun read.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing another fantastic from J.L Tomlinson. Loved every second

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beauty and the Beast sort of storyline. It ended rather abruptly for my liking. I enjoyed the MFC but the MMC felt too removed for her.

[Merry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sitting at a solid 3.5 for me.

There are strong Beauty and the Beast vibes throughout this story, and I love it when that happens in a book. This one felt a bit rushed, though.

The biggest issue for me was the emotional whiplash. The FMC’s feelings toward the MMC swing wildly with little development. One minute she’s furious, the next she’s devoted to him, then suddenly she’s in love. I never felt like the relationship earned the progression.

Several loose threads left me frustrated. She… never sees her father again? That’s it? No reunion? And what about the fae’s treatment of humans? Also, what I did and mostly did not like was that the FMC remains painfully mortal. There is no hopping in the nearest cauldron for the human soup of instant immortality. I appreciated that it didn't happen as it has in so many other stories, but I also hated it for our lovers. He will live on while she fades away.

We’re shown repeatedly how powerful and catastrophic the 'demon' is. And the fae king could barely contain it. And yet all it took was a human vessel suffocating it to death with a kiss from the Ice King? That resolution felt too convenient for a villain that couldn't be stopped, for over a century. If that was always the solution, why wasn’t it figured out sooner? Props to the FMC for figuring it out, though!

Overall, the bones of an interesting story are here: fae vs. humans, enemies-to-lovers, and forbidden love, but it felt somewhat rushed and underdeveloped. I wanted more depth and a stronger romance. The worldbuilding was sufficient, but I felt it could have been expanded on. I really enjoyed this one, but it left me wishing it was a little *more*.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy Beauty and the Beast, the Snow Queen and other classic tales this book has very similar vibes. This was a great read to pick me up out of a slump. 🥰

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good beauty and the beast retelling, only thing was the ending ended so quickly I was like what that’s the end? Would have been great to have an epilogue or something but with this being a prequel maybe more will be revealed.

[Bess · Rating 2 out of 5]

I came in wanting a beauty and the beast style romance, which it delivered. Overall the idea was there, however the application fell short. The FMC was one of those “i can do whatever”, angsty types. The MMC was just cold. No personality whatsoever. No chemistry between the couple. Then there was his mother- she was around too much.

This reminded me of some high school romance with some airhead guy, and a girl that needs attention so makes everything out of nothing. And then his mom walks in on you guys… and is always peeping in the doorway.

Spice was almost there. The commitment to the spice was needed. You’re 85% there, just go for it at that point!!

[Amber Gerber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! just wish she would have became immortal

[Jenn Brunier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming 3.5

Lovely story, magical characters, some well written spice, mystery, and not too deep or wordy. Just a basic Fae romantasy , a quick read and sometimes that’s exactly what we want. I’m always a little sad when an immortal is paired with a mortal though. That’s ultimately not a HEA. Still - I recommend.

[123_Romantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!)

[Magic & Manuscripts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a fun read!! I always love a good Beauty and the Beast retelling, and this one was so different from ones I have read in the past! It was such a great take!!

The story starts out with Neve and her father trying to survive on their farm that is slowly dying from the curse on the land. As the winter becomes harsher, they cannot pay their debts to the Lord of Frostwyn.
In order to save her father from paying their debts in the mines, Neve gives her self in servitude to Lord Luceran to save her father.

This story had so many twists that I didn’t see coming. There is suspense, passion, longing and an evil darkness that needs to be overcome. Neve is such a strong willed and brave female character who unravels Luceran and all his secrets.

I absolutely love everything this author writes! Cannot wait for more!

And if you need more of this story, check out the bonus epilogue on the author’s website!!

If you love:

❄️ Enemies to lovers
❄️ Forbidden romance
❄️ A curse that needs to be broken
❄️ A strong female MFC
❄️ Beauty and the Beast Retelling

This is for you!!

[chicklit & chai · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Gerbera_Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Blair Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frost and fire, magical fantasy.

I do love a good, broody MMC. One you simply love to hate but can't turn away from. Did he or didn’t he that goes back centuries. A naive FMC that knows little of the world but is brave beyond recognition. A gothic feeling castle of ice and frost. And stories. Such an enthralling book. Loved it!

[Jen Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Janine Kupko · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Debt of Ice and Embers - really good!!!

Luceran and Neve’s enemies to lovers slow burn relationship was full of twist and turns by the danger in the land. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ There was a little spice 🌶️🌶️ because of their forbidden love and ending in a ok HEA.

[Valynda Tegge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful winter

This story is beautiful. I love these characters and how much the despise one another, but only on the outside. A love grows of nothing she makes him feel again. Truely amazing story

[Emily Florence · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmm… things I liked, things I didn’t. I wish the author would have written more about the plot and less about the romance. The villain was freaky and so interesting. It was a missed opportunity.

Sexual content- spicy
Language- mild
Violence- mild

[Kalysta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, short adventure

This was a quick and easy read. It picked up about halfway through and that's when I got into it. It's simple. The solutions are simple. Grumbly male. Brave female. Worthwhile.

[Jacki · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting retelling

Its a retelling of beauty and the beast. I think the author could have reached further into the more personal details of the story and used less of the b&b story. I enjoyed it and would read it again!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this short fae "Beauty and The Beast" retelling. It is original in it's own way that I felt immersed in the world building and character development.

I felt it was well written and a great quick read, one i can see myself reading again.

[Jody Dow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad

It was a quicj easy read. I enjoyed it for the most part. There were details missing that would have made the story better but it is just a stand alone novel so I guess that is expected.

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this!!!

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth reading, good story. Meh writing style.

[Pau G · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 🤷🏼‍♀️