I can't stop thinking about this book after finishing it. Set in an England ruled by a manipulative, immortal fae queen, the story follows Ivy Benton, a young woman desperate to get revenge. With a high-stakes competition for the prince’s hand, Ivy’s involvement in a dangerous bargain with the queen leads her into a web of political maneuvering, secret alliances, and the looming cost of faerie magic. The atmosphere is rich with tension, and Ivy’s journey is one of both personal growth and moral dilemmas.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A Delightful, Twisty Read with Bridgerton Vibes!

The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith is a captivating blend of historical romance and fantasy intrigue, perfect for fans of Bridgerton with a magical twist. From the very first page, the lush atmosphere and sharp-witted dialogue pulled me in, making it impossible to put down.

The world-building is beautifully done, immersing readers in a society where secrets and bargains hold as much power as status. The romance is filled with tension and longing, giving that perfect slow-burn feel. And just when I thought I had the story figured out, that plot twist hit—completely unexpected and brilliantly executed!

The only reason this isn’t a full five-star read for me is that I wanted a bit more depth in certain areas—some moments felt like they could have been explored further and sometimes I felt a little bit lost. But overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I’ll definitely be recommending it to fellow fans of historical fantasy and romance. I can't wait for the next book in this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book!

The Rose Bargain takes everything I love about a marriage competition for a prince and added faeries (my fav) and believable political agendas and pathways with a dash of Bridgerton vibes. I was immediately hooked by the questions in the air regarding the MC Ivy’s sister Lydia’s disappearance and mystery bargain. Her sister doesn’t remember what she bargained for or what happened to her, and that was enough to get me interested enough to stay up too late that night. Ivy is an incredibly likeable character – though not without flaw – and her emotional maturity is refreshing. She demonstrates early on an understanding and intellect that so often isn’t present in YA stories where the (seemingly main) plot involves competing for a royal marriage.

“An immortal queen letting English high society still have our little rituals is like an indulgent parent handing their crying child a toy” (loc. 400 in the ARC) is a great example of her awareness and maturity. This is such an astute observation of what is happening, and it gives the reader a bit of insight into the idea that, though there is peace, and everyone is happy, that maybe that’s just a façade.

The Queen and her son are trapped in the human realm – Queen Moryen came to the human realm and bargained her way into eternal rule of England. The girls in competition for Prince Bram’s hand are put through a series of, rather alarming, tasks. This book has the perfect touch of darkness that I so often want and don’t get in YA, and embraces the dark, cunning fae lore that I love.

I very much enjoyed it and will be eagerly awaiting what comes next!

thank you to Harper Collins for the eARC
4.5 stars

this is unpretentious fun fae YA romantasy. I had a lot of fun reading this, and it was easy to get absorbed in. fairly tropey and requires you to suspend some disbelief, but the characters are lovable and develop and the book progresses, there are enjoyable friendships and romances, and a solid fantasy plot too. very holly black-style fae (aka they’re mean and bored and enigmatic), and the backdrop of a sort of regency era but with some deviations in the history. it manages to feel fresh despite using some well-trodden plot elements and tropes.

if you’re looking for something that is particularly spicy or even for mature characters, this won’t be what you’re looking for. but I would say it’s a well-executed YA romantasy. it felt like a better version of the vibes of OUABH

I looooooooved this!! The Cruel Prince meets Bridgerton. I just ate this up in like a day?! No notes. Such a great YA fantasy romance. BRAVO.

When I saw Stephanie Garber rave about this book, I knew I needed to read it IMMEDIATELY. Thank you so much for this e-arc, I’m beyond thankful!

This book was SO. MUCH. FUN! I loved the romance subplot, the world, and the writing. Everything was so so good. I cannot wait for this book to hit the shelves next week, so I can secure myself a physical copy. This was immaculate in every sense of the word. Obsessed!

I don’t remember when or why I requested this one, but it was so surprising in the best way! What starts out with the glitz and glam of Bridgerton slowly shifts and layers until the warm & fuzzy giggles turned into soft tears.

Anyway, really, really excited to see where the next book goes!

If you love high society, debutants in the ton, fae, and the book series The Selection, do not hesitate to read this book. I absolutely devoured it. I have always been a sucker for regency era fae novels, AND a group of young women competing to marry a prince. SIGN ME UP. Loved the story, loved the writing style, loved the characters. I also thought the Queen's premise was unique, and I absolutely loved this book.

I absolutely loved this book! A great young adult fantasy that reminded me of The Selection and Bridgerton. The story keeps you engaged from the start. I definitely recommend if you love romance, fantasy and fae!



Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

“I didn’t plan on being a wife. I planned on being a painter, or a pirate, or a poet.”

Bridgerton but with faeries? Say less 👏 The Witch Haven made Sasha Peyton Smith an auto-buy author for me and The Rose Bargain was just a reminder of why.

I love the characters she creates. From Ivy to Faith and Marion and Emmett, there was so much depth to each of them that casts a new light on this time in history. When I watch Bridgerton, I’m of course swept away in the balls and the yearning, but then there’s the other side of it. How being even slightly different could mean total family ruin. How you have to give up who you are to fit in, and she showed that part so well.

I think in a Bachelor-esque type competition, it would’ve been easy to pit all the girls against each other. While they definitely didn’t always get along, I love that the strength of sisterhood, in whatever form it comes in, was present throughout. Every girl is unique and while this will be a duology, I would love to see more from each of them. This whole world honestly. England ruled by a faerie queen? There’s nothing more I could ask for. Especially when it heightens the already vain personalities of the Ton.

“Men never do understand. The slow death of being cast out of society is a fate few are strong enough to bear.”

I was yet again swept away by all the glitz, yearning, and scheming that I didn’t totally see the end coming. I had a small ‘what if’ inkling but that’s as close as I got. I’m excited to see what the revelations bring. I have a feeling it will be unhinged in the best possible way.

This is YA fantasy at its best and I can’t wait for more people to read it when it’s out on Tuesday!

I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait for the release of book two! This dark fantasy romance was everything I wanted—magic, mystery, and political intrigue woven into a high-stakes competition that pits England’s elite society girls against each other for a chance to win the Prince’s heart.

Ivy Benton is a resourceful, determined protagonist, fighting not just for her family’s status but for something far more personal—her sister’s stolen memories. The fae in this story are exactly as they should be: eerie, mischievous, and dangerously alluring. Every bargain comes with a cost, and the author does an incredible job of building suspense around these twisted deals.

And then there’s the love triangle—deliciously angsty and full of tension. Ivy is caught between Prince Bram, the fae heir at the center of the competition, and his human brother, Emmett, whose sharp wit and reputation for dalliances make their dynamic even more complicated. The banter between Ivy and the brother crackled with chemistry, and there was a constant push-and-pull, a lingering should they, shouldn’t they energy that had me completely hooked. This dynamic read more 'older teen' in the Young Adult audience, so I think a lot of adult readers will also enjoy it.

The worldbuilding was rich, the stakes were high, and the competition itself was filled with tension and deception. If you love Young Adult dark fantasy with a touch of romance and a ruthless fae court, this book is a must-read. I’m already counting down the days until the sequel!

Fae, magic, trials -ish, and a love triangle trope.

Couldn’t be better, really.

I do hope this book gets all the attention it deserves- like a twisty, darker fae related “the selection”, sort of?? It was neat! I want more!

Thank you NetGalley & Harper Collin’s children’s publisher for allowing an arc in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced review copy of this book!

Overall this gave me sort of Bridgerton vibes and I like historical romance so I was pretty excited for this book. The main character was a little difficult to understand, but thats teenagers for you. I liked the main MMC somewhat but there also were several reasons to not like him throughout the majority of the book. I liked the setting of this book and it wasn’t hard to imagine it as I read.

I saw the end coming but it was not exactly what I was expecting so it did still somewhat schlock me. I was pretty invested in the book and I had a hard time putting it down once I got to a certain point but at the beginning it was slow and uneventful. I don’t know why it never really clicked for me and made me just love it because it had all the right elements, I honestly think it may have been Ivy, but I’m not too sure because I liked certain things about her still.

HAHAHAHA WHAT? this book completely wrecked me...out of nowhere. The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith is everything I love about historical romance—but with sharper edges, impossible stakes, and a choice that had me spiraling.

I went in expecting The Selection meets Bridgerton—gowns, carriages, whispered court gossip—and while I did get all of that, I also got twisted bargains, betrayals, and tension so thick I could barely breathe.

At the heart of it all, we have a girl fighting for more than just a husband—she’s fighting for her family’s honor, her future, the hand of a prince, and the fate of the world itself. The catch? To even stand a chance at the crown, she must make a "rose bargain" with the queen. And these bargains? They aren’t just high-stakes. They’re ruinous, selfish, and leave everyone worse off than before.

Now, let’s talk about the princes. Yes, plural. One fae. One human. Both brothers. And the decision? Brutal. I trusted the fae prince, but at the same time, the human prince had this pull that made every moment between them unbearable in the best way. The tension? Insane. The heat? Unreal.

And just when I thought I had it all figured out? The last 15% absolutely destroyed me. The betrayals cut deeper, the stakes soared higher, and suddenly, I wasn’t sure if anyone could be trusted at all. I felt the weight of every choice, every sacrifice, every moment of uncertainty—until I turned the last page, completely wrecked, desperate for more.

If you love historical romance with actual stakes, romance that keeps you up at night, and a competition that isn’t just about love—but survival—you need this book.

✨ 5 stars. No notes. Just me, sitting in the dark, kindle in hand at 2am, wondering how I’m supposed to move on. ✨

The Rose Bargain is the Selection/Cruel Prince crossover that we needed. It takes the best elements from each to create a cohesive, immersive story that will have you begging for more. This book hits with so many elements — the Victorian era vibes, the marriage competition for the Prince’s hand in marriage, fae bargains, and political machinations. This book is sure to be an absolute hit. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Ivy and the other competitors. I especially enjoyed Smith’s approach to sprinkle in chapter’s from their POVs in addition to Ivy’s in order to get to know their backstories and motivations. I also loved the banter and chemistry between Ivy and both brothers, though one in particular was a standout. I felt the relationship between Ivy and her sister was interesting and added another needed element to the story especially with how the book ended. The Rose Bargain is a can’t miss YA fantasy.

This book has me written all over it, from the Victorian setting to the fae shenanigans. Absolutely in love!

4.5 stars. I picked this book up yesterday to get through a couple chapters since the release date is coming up, and I ended up reading 60% of the book in one sitting! The writing in this is so addicting. I truly was getting lost in the story in a way that I haven’t been able to in a while.

I love the setting in this book. I don’t know what it is about books set in 1800s England but they always manage to hook me. Then adding fae on top of that? Say less! The world is fun, the lessons/trials were entertaining and I love the characters. This is a really solid young adult book and I can’t wait for the sequel!

This was absolutely addictive and I ate it up like sugar. This is levels of addiction that I haven't felt since I finished The Cruel Prince. That ending?!? Torture because I definitely was NOT aware this was a series!!

About 30% through this book I was wondering if this was mismarketed as a fantasy romance as it wasn’t reading like one. It almost seemed too good to be categorized as a a fantasy romance? But I was so pleasantly surprised that this was not a cookie cutter copy of newer romantasy releases I've read. Then the story really hits its stride and I was tearing through the pages. If you enjoy twists and turns in a story or you enjoy stories like Bridgerton with its court intrigue you will LOVE this.

This does have a few minor issues, but none so glaring that I can really count them against the story. I was feeling that the relationships between the Princes and Ivy was a little rushed, like they have known each other longer than we are privy to. The other girls do get their own chapter, but I wished for a bit more.
This was a ride and so much fun!

This book was so fun! I love the Bridgerton vibes mixed with fantasy elements. I devoured this book and it was such a relief to read after reading some darker books.

Absolute must- read! This story is like if Bridgerton, The Selection, Red Queen, and faeries all mixed together to create an engaging fantasy story. Ivy is entering society and is desperate to save her family from Ruin. Queen Mor announces that her son Bram will be entering the season in search for his wife. The Rose Bargain is full of action and twists that will keep you on your toes.