Not to be overdramatic but I would die for Tom. He was such a great character and I love seeing him be with Alexandra and take that journey with her. I think the society was well crafted and I understood the way things work and why Alexandra's situation was so dire for her when she was forced into poverty by her parents. The relationship blooming between her and Tom was adorable and I loved them being together. This was a great books. The pacing was well and it primarily was well because of the romances which didn't feel rushed but also was dragging along. It has perfect timing.

Thank you Netgalley and Vanessa Green for the eARC

4.25

I am in love with this book already and I am excited for the next one! This story is a retelling of King Thrushbeard, and I have a fondness for retellings. We get to meet Princess Alexandra, who was dealing with her father, the King's death. A misguided and spoiled princess, we see her perspective of treating the kingdom and its people well. I knew her actions, although terrible were a result of grief and her mother's harshness, and the privilege of being able to do whatever she wanted.

I loved how she has morphed into a character that thinks beyond herself and the comforts that she was born with. I hope to see more of Tyram and the side characters that I have become slowly fond of. The writing drew me in, and I was able to devour this book. It is peppered with descriptions of the difficulty of living a peasant life, choices they've had to make in order to survive. The improvement within Alexandra was not presented as an overnight change of heart, and even in the middle of the book, her difficulty in changing and having second thoughts about her pride are still present.

I'm not sure if I could call this a slow burn, because their attraction is definitely present all throughout the book , it may still be, as their love and trust have developed slowly over time. The plot has equal parts adventure, politics, daily life, and personality. I really hope to see more in the second book!

This had everything I wished from a fairytale retelling. It was fun, romantic, magical and beautifully written. The character development feels very believable and you quickly grow attached. Also, expect a dash of spice. There’s just one last question.. where’s part 2?

This was a perfectly paced, swoony romance that was really character-driven, centred on our spoilt heroine Alexandra. I loved watching her slowly grow and evolve throughout the novel, I’ve always had a soft spot for the icy, spoilt brat heroines who slowly come into their own and you realise they really aren’t what they seem at all.

The romance was the ideal pace with no insta love (thank god) and a lot of time spent with Alexandra and Tom. He was witty, intelligent and charming, and he really helped Alexandra grow and I loved how in the end they really better each other.

It was an enjoyable read. I appreciate that Alexandra's character growth isn't linear, and therefore more realistic, but it went from 0 to 100 back to 0 so often and so quickly, I was getting whiplash.

Completely forgot it was meant to be fantasy, the only fantastical elements really are the dragons and the hedgewitch. Take these out with normal attacks and an apothecary then you'd have the same novel.

Ending seemed rushed, everything was falling into place quickly and conveniently. Still worth a read if the premise seems up your alley.

This was a cute story that had a nice romance to it!
I wouldn't consider it a fairytale since there was no magic, but it was a cute historical retelling.

I really liked the characters and their character growth as individuals and as a couple. He was patient while she was a spoiled brat that was relearning how to be a decent human.

A lovely retelling of the fairytale of king thrushbeard, but for adults.
Spoiled princess Alexandra lashes out and makes a fool of herself when she doesn't get what she wants.

When her behaviour pushes all her suitors away, her mother decides to marry her off to a bard, much to Alexandra's disgust.

Tom the bard proves himself to be a kind man, with only one secret he can't tell his wife.
At least, not yet.

This is a retelling of King Thrushbeard where our heroine, Alexandra, is spoiled and must live as a peasant for a year with a bard named Tom. Surprise! Tom is not actually a bard but instead the new regent of a competing kingdom. I really enjoyed Green's writing style and the development of Tom and Alexandra's relationship. I did think that some of the pacing was a bit off--especially the end, which felt rushed. But the story did end open to a sequel which I hope happens.

Thank you for providing the ARC!

Thanks to Netgalley for this copy.

To be honest, when I started reading this, I really wasn't feeling connected to it
I nearly gave up two chapters in. I'm glad I decided to continue. It turned into a book that i couldn't put down.

A spoilt princess who thinks she knows everything gets her world turned upside down and is shown the real world. With amazing side characters that you can fail to love, this book grips you. From making you hate the Princess to wanting to give her a massive high five for turning herself around.

If I had to give a negative, the spice in this book wasn't for me. I don't think it was needed and kind of ruined it for me.....

3.5 stars, rounded up - An engaging retelling of King Thrushbeard that adds its own flavor to the traditional fairy tale. The proud Alexandra was a compelling center for the story, evolving from a prickly, selfish princess to a generous and compassionate leader. I rooted for her at every step of the journey, even when I (frequently) cringed at her early missteps. It was easy to see how her bad behavior was shaped by her father's indulgence and her mother's over-correcting harshness, and I only wish that the book had taken a moment to acknowledge that she was a product of bad parenting and privilege and not simply a bad person by nature. The holier than thou attitudes of both her mother and Tyram could be pretty grating, and I wish that he, especially, had been a little more fleshed out. As great as it was to watch Alexandra's development, it felt frustratingly one-sided and played into the tired narrative that women are inherently wicked and need to be scolded and shamed by a man in order to do right. These complaints aside, however, I truly enjoyed myself with this book, and I was engrossed in Alexandra's adventures and growing friendships. I would gladly read another book by this author, and for once, I'm excited by the idea of a sequel.

My thanks to the author and Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher Joan Anderson, and Vanessa Green for providing me with a copy of the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This romance is a retelling of a fairytale which makes a lot of components familiar in a way. I liked the growth de fmc but sometimes it did feel a bit blunt and especially in the beginning I really didn’t see the most horrible behavior her mother was raving on about.

The romance and the spice has a nice build up which makes it part of the story instead of the main event. Which I really like. The mmc is sweet and patient which does make him the more likable character out of the pair but that is part of the story after all.

It’s described as a fairytale in Goodreads but reads more like a historical light hearted romance as there is no magic, witches and magic users are mentioned but never really dived into further.

It’s a cute story that reads easily. If you want something light hearted without a plot with high stakes go for it.

SO SO SO GOOD! OMG I NEVER THOUGHT I LIKED THIS BOOK AS MUCH AS I DID. I RATED THIS BOOK 5 STARS. I RECOMMEND EVERYONE TO READ THIS.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher Joan Anderson, and Vanessa Green for providing me with a copy of the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I like Alexandra from the start, even when other characters viewed her as a brat – who would actually be happy marrying a stranger in her situation? Her growth felt organic throughout the entire book, and her chemistry with Tom was great. However, I did feel like some of the side characters started to veer into the territory of being cartoonishly evil.

The spice was well done, and felt deserved by the time Tom and Alexandra actually got there.

My biggest gripe with the book was how fast it came to a conclusion. Everything with her mother, Bryan, and the reconciliation happened so quickly and was predictable (and yes, I am aware it is based off an existing fairytale, but nonetheless!). That said, the book is open to a sequel, which I am interested in picking up – I hope to see more of Angharad in the sequel, but definitely more of Tom and Alexandra too.

Title: The Bard's Bargain by Vanessa Green

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

Every day they traveled further from everything Princess Alexandra had ever known, and each day the weight of this year-long journey pressed heavier upon her. With no guards, no physicians, and no servants at her beck and call, Alexandra was truly alone. In a world where screaming for help might go unheard, she was forced to fend for herself.

War has ravaged the split kingdoms of Norwen and Lenwen for a generation. When Princess Alexandra of Lenwen rejects all her suitors at her debut, she angers kings, princes, and her own formidable mother. As punishment for her pride, the queen strips Alexandra of her title and forces her to live in poverty with the lowliest commoner she can find—a young bard named Tom. If Alexandra can endure the life of a commoner for a full year, she will be allowed to return to the palace and assume the coveted position of regent.

Alexandra's journey with Tom takes her to the neighboring kingdom of Norwen, home to one of the suitors she spurned. She faces the harsh realities of living as a poor bard's companion, learning for the first time to care for someone other than herself.

Despite the constant hardships, Alexandra finds herself drawn to the handsome and lighthearted Tom. As the year progresses, she must choose between returning to her old life as a princess to end the war once and for all, or embracing her newfound love and life with Tom.


Why I enjoyed It:

👑 Royal Drama: The tension between Alexandra and her mother, coupled with the political stakes of the war, makes for a gripping read.
🎶 Charming Romance: The chemistry between Alexandra and Tom is undeniable and heartwarming, growing steadily as they face challenges together.
🌲 Adventure and Growth: Alexandra's journey from a pampered princess to a resilient commoner is beautifully portrayed, showcasing her character development.
💔 Themes of Pride and Redemption: The story masterfully explores themes of pride, humility, and the power of love to change hearts and lives.

The Bard's Bargain is a magical and emotional journey that kept me hooked from start to finish. Vanessa Green's storytelling is rich and immersive, bringing the world of Lenwen and Norwen to life with vivid detail.

Alexandra's transformation is compelling and relatable. Her initial haughtiness gives way to genuine strength and empathy as she navigates the struggles of common life. Tom, with his lighthearted nature and hidden depths, is the perfect foil to Alexandra's pride, and their evolving relationship is both touching and believable.

The retelling of King Thrushbeard is fresh and engaging, with enough twists to keep even seasoned fairy tale lovers on their toes. The ending, where Alexandra faces the ultimate choice between duty and love, is both satisfying and thought-provoking.

The Bard's Bargain is a delightful read that seamlessly blends adventure, romance, and personal growth. Vanessa Green has crafted a story that is sure to enchant readers and leave them eagerly awaiting her next work.

Perfect for fans of fairy tale retellings and heartwarming romances, this story is a delightful reimagining of King Thrushbeard.


Thank you to The Publisher Joan Anderson ,The Author Vanessa Green & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Vanessa Green and NetGalley, for granting me access to an free copy of this book.

I wish I could say I liked it more. It was very mediocre for me and I ended up not feeling any particular way about it.

A sweet, fairtytale-esque romance which re-imagines a story I was not especially familiar with. Alexandra is delightfully childish and spoilt and it's fun to watch her go through troubles and tribulations; the split POV was very effective.

It was a very fun premise and solid execution, though sometimes the romance lacked a bit of tension.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.