A Debt of Ice and Embers

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

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?? 😮‍💨✊🏻❤️‍🩹

[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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[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!)

[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.

[Jessica Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this story

I enjoyed Jl Tomlinson's 2 book series bargain of smoke and vine and this book is just as good and was a cute fun story to read, just wish there were a book 2 to this one as well. Hope she keeps writing Sundred Kingdom Fae books. I really enjoy the worlds she writes about.

[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.

[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 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Laura Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Sheila Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 !

[Gabrielle talos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good writing, good tension. Ending was a little rushed/tied up in a bow.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, it was good but a little lacking in depth

[Kata · Rating 1 out of 5]

BookTok fooled me

[Karen Jonin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story fast read enemies to lovers

[Kendyl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hallmark special romantasy