This was such a fun read! Historical fiction meets fantasy—honestly, this felt like a hybrid of fantasy favorites: ACOTAR, The Selection, The Cruel Prince, etc. Knowing that might deter you, but I was hooked. I read it in a day! It had everything I wanted from a story like this—fae, trials, high stakes, heartbreak, good banter… what more can you ask for? If these story elements aren't broken, let's don't fuss about fixing them.

I saw the end twist coming, BUT when I tell you I am on the edge of my seat for the next book in this series, I mean it. I cannot wait!

Note for those who are curious: While it is marketed at YA, this book is toeing the line of New Adult.

This book was such a fun mix of Bridgerton, The Bachelor, and The Cruel Prince—basically, all the vibes you didn’t know you needed until now. It’s set in an alternate-history England, starting from the War of the Roses, which immediately grabbed my attention because, let’s be real, I’m a sucker for that era. And while it’s technically a competition to marry a fae prince, it’s not all fluff. There’s a real depth to the characters, and the tension—romantic and otherwise—had me hooked.

One thing I absolutely loved was how the story included chapters from the perspectives of other girls in the competition. It gave them real dimension and made the whole thing feel less like “everyone vs. the main character” and more like a group of young women with their own stories and motivations. It made the book way more dynamic. And honestly, I was here for the slow-burn romance. Minimal spice, but the tension was so well done that you didn’t need it to be over the top. If you’re someone who enjoys watching a romance build rather than explode from the get-go, this will be right up your alley.

And let me just say—the ending? Talk about leaving me hanging! It’s such an intriguing setup for what’s coming next, and now I’m sitting here impatiently waiting for the next book. If you love fantasy with a bit of romance, high-stakes competition, and some serious girl-power moments, this book is absolutely worth a read. I’d give it a solid 4.25 stars—super engaging, with just enough mystery to keep me wanting more!

5 Reasons Why I Gave The Rose Bargain ALL THE STARS

The similarities to The Selection – The Selection was my series. I dutifully bought every book after its release, reading them all until the pages became worn and the ink slightly faded due to sun exposure. In my opinion, Smith takes the best parts of her inspiration and makes them even better: more detailed, more twisted, and more addictive.

The love triangle – Most of the time, I am indifferent toward love triangles. Typically, I have an instant favorite and all the will they / won’t they only serves to irritate me. That was not the case with Ivy and her suitors. I was genuinely rooting for both boys until the last second. Sasha Peyton Smith writes romance exactly the way I want to see it.

The multi POV – I am such a fan of the snippets from each girl. Seeing the situation from their perspectives made them more likable. Now that the competition is over, I cannot wait to see their friendships strengthen.

The sapphic relationship – While I wasn’t expecting this, now that it’s here, I hope that the sequel explores this side story even further.

The mystery – I was sold from the start with the competition, but the mystery with Ivy’s sister makes this book even more enthralling. I love a mystery and, in this case, the strangeness of the whole situation had me hooked. Honestly, every character has such an interesting backstory; I know The Rose Bargain hasn’t even been published, but I cannot wait for the next book.

Bottom line: It’s not often that I love a fantasy release as much as I love The Rose Bargain.

This is a fun, twisty little book that — while it resembles many others in the genre (the wedding contest, the plotting, the falling for the wrong brother /romance) — it’s well written, well paced, and has some nice and unique elements that kept me entertained. This isn’t the sort of book that I tend to read, and I was expecting to be whelmed by it, but really … I had a good time. I read the book in a single sitting and, when I finished, went to see when book two would be published.

The Queen’s magic is nicely cruel and the reveal at the end, while coming a little out of left field, felt grounded enough in the story that I thought it worked. All in all, this is a solid romantasy with grounded characters, a nicely put together plot, and strong writing.

Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for letting me have an ARC!

Fans of Stephanie Garber’s Caraval and Holly Black’s Cruel Prince will devour this new fantasy romance by Sasha Peyton Smith. The novel starts off strong with the main character, Ivy Benton trying to locate her sister, who has been missing for two years. When she accidently encounters the crown prince, we set the story into motion and the hint at a possible romance between these two, which is a an absolute delight to read.

Filled with foreboding, Fae folklore, and a deadly competition to be the bride of the Fairy Queen's son, if Ivy wins, she not only would become a princess, but it would restore her families name in the gentry.

As for the romance there's a love triangle, which, if I’m being honest, I’m not to keen on. Plus, with the twist at the very end, I was trying to figure out how everyone would get untangled from the bramble of needle like thorns that is the romance between Ivy and the Fae prince Bram's human brother, and prince Bram and Ivy’s sister.

I’m looking forward to the next novel to answer some questions I had at the end.

If you love fantasy-romance definitely add this one to your TBR.

Plain and simple, I loved this book! So much fun! I think the time period and setting of this book was perfect, 1840s England mixed with faerie bargains and tricks made for a delightful read. I loved getting all the different POVs throughout the competition and seeing how different each of the girls were and what they wanted out of life. All of the relationships in this book, romantic and platonic, felt real and made you root for everyone involved. And the ending? Obsessed.

This was a great duology opener, and I can’t wait to see what the next book has in store.

Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the ARC!

Every year during their coming out into society, young women are expected to make a bargain with Queen Mor, whether it be better hair and teeth, talents in music and art, or improved memories and dance skills. In turn the Queen takes something of theirs.
The Rose Bargain follows Ivy Benton and five other high society girls who compete against each other for a chance to marry Prince Bram. However they must face cruel tests from the queen to challenge their desire and resilience to win.
First off, what a beautiful cover. As soon as I saw it I was intrigued by the book and the synopsis had me sold. There is a spicy scene in this book, so this is a content warning for those underage.
I found the character of Ivy Benton to be very charming and witty, with consistent demonstrations of bravery throughout the book. I adored the witty banter between her and Prince Emmett, though I felt it tapered off during the middle and ending of the book.
I did appreciate that we were able to read some points of views of the other girls competing for Prince Bram’s hand so we could see their motivations for competing and understand them on a deeper level, it definitely warmed me up to those characters and engaged me with the reading more.
The pacing of the book was done really well, I felt like every chapter had a point to it and it really did bring those Bridgerton vibes that I had hoped for.
I did manage to figure out the plot twist about halfway through but I still didn’t see some of it coming and when I reached the end I was still surprised. It was fun to realize where some of the hints had been given and I plan to go back and reread the book so I can find more.
There are two parts of the book that lost me. In chapter 11 when Ivy first meets Emmett she is depicted as having shoes on when she leaves the cottage (pg. 79), but then on pg. 81 she is barefoot and her feet are covered in mud. I know it’s a minor detail but it was enough to distract me from the reading.
I have a second issue with the plot point that revolves around the bargain Ivy makes with the Queen but cannot point it out as it is a major spoiler for the end of the book. I will include this specific critique in my Goodreads review where I can put a spoiler alert on there to avoid ruining this for anyone.
Overall, if you enjoy Fae, Bridgerton vibes, and historical fantasy, you'll have a great time with this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5!!!)

🌶️ 1 (pages 253-254)

🤬 1.5 (infrequent and sparse)

If the selection happened in a kingdom ruled by a twisted Fae Queen who has grown bored…all you need to know

This was by far my FAVORITE read off NetGalley. Speaking of a thank you is in order for them as well as HarperCollins!

This book starts off in a sprint and doesn’t slow down!! The characters are so well developed and you get to see development beyond just the main characters! Anytime I thought I had something guessed I was wrong!! The author does such a great job of keeping the reader on their toes!!

The lush descriptions and prose made this a book I quickly devoured!!

Don’t even get me started on Emmett 🤭
if you liked Jacks from OUABH then you will like Emmett he’s not as cold, but the banter???

And this has multiple POVs scattered throughout but not in a chaotic way. It helped you understand the character more in depth at the point in the story.

Overall I truly can’t recommend this enough! I plan on reading other works by this author as well!!

I really loved this! It’s always nice to see fae stories where they FEEL like fae— and this one is good at that. I loved the characters, and I particularly loved how much thought was put into everyone; the girls, despite being competition, never felt catty or like the author disliked any of them. It’s an unfortunate breath of fresh air— I wish more authors added this kind of nuance between girls who are rivals. And I really enjoyed the romance! PLUS THE TWIST??? Oh, I need book 2 expeditiously

I am a huge Plantagenet/Tudor history geek and I absolutely loved how the story began with the War of the Roses and the entire concept of a rose bargain. Smith’s world building was extremely well done - a fairy queen, an isolationist country, and a nobility who will do anything to keep their land and titles. I could vividly picture the city streets and landmarks!

The story was very appropriately billed as a mix of The Cruel Prince and The Selection, with political machinations and a bachelorette contest. The characters were all well developed, especially our FMC, and I loved the interludes with perspectives from the other girls, Lydia’s especially. She is such an enigma for most of the book - barely present on the page and yet she’s a part of the MC’s every thought and deed.

Smith does a great job exploring themes like sibling relationships, friendships, forbidden romance, and the thin line between love and hate. My only complaint is wanting more on page romantic moments. The story ended with a bang and I can’t wait to see where the plot goes. Perfect for historical fiction and fantasy lovers alike!

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the e-ARC of The Rose Bargain!

I’m normally not a fan of historical fantasy or alternate fantasy, but I am an avid reader of what I lovingly call “fae bullshit”, and this was top tier fae bullshit. The minutiae of wording, the lies within truths, bargains and bewitchments, something dangerous and sharp hidden within the most innocent of things. In my opinion, the events at the very end of the book happen a little too quickly and feel rushed, but overall, I enjoyed every moment of this book and hope we get a sequel. I’d happily read anything Smith wrote with fae in it, and I’m going to have to give her Witch Haven series a try as well. This was such an enjoyable read, and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes stories about the fae.

The Rose Bargain blossomed into my heart as an impactful story riddled with intrigue, romance, mystery, and a dazzling touch of magic.

Protagonist Ivy leads this tale with intention-- to save her family, at the cost of her own freedom, she looks to enter a magical competition to win the hand of a prince. But as things turn deadly, it's another prince who comes to her aid. Together they look to do more than just saving parents-- they look to save a world from ruin.

I enjoyed Ivy as a character, particularly because she is not flawless, rather she is flawed. She has moments of pettiness, anger, and bad decisions. I also enjoyed her vulnerability, as she faces her wrongs, addresses her hurt, and makes heartbreaking decisions. And I enjoyed her as heroine striving to correct wrongs, discover truth, and save not just loved ones but everyone from a presumed cruel future. She may be scared but she faces all fear with courage and a stubbornness that steels the spine and heart. She is the type of YA heroine I enjoy-- soft yet sharp, intelligent yet flawed, brave yet hesitant. It makes for a relatable protagonist to follow on the adventures ahead.

Admittedly, Ivy's romance storyline did not capture my attention, but her relationship with her sister Lydia very much did. My heart broke for the sisters, for the promises broken and a past shrouded in mystery. Lydia emerges as a character of note, one whose journey, were it to take the reins, I'd very gladly follow. Her presence helps to further layer Ivy's character and raise the stakes-- as did all featured POVs.

I deeply appreciated each supporting character POV interlude, it became a very welcome surprise. The POVs ensured all supporting characters became multi-faceted-- that they too have a price to pay in the competition. That their presence is not without consequence. This also helped to grow the camaraderie between the girls in the competition especially. It became not about wanting to see Ivy win, but all the girls fight together. Those interludes raised the stakes significantly, and it greatly broadened my appreciation for the clever, poignant, high-stakes plot.

As mentioned, Ivy's romantic subplot fell just short of expectations. I would consider this is the sole stumble in an otherwise exciting path. I would have enjoyed more development in that area, so the "I love you's" could land with more impact. However, this is not a standalone-- there is still story left to tell! Which came as a shock to me, I didn't realize this book is just the start of a grander story! Given this revelation, I remain very open-minded in terms of the romance, and hopeful it will progress with a more satisfying journey. I very much believe it will-- the overall plot already has me enthralled, and I can't wait to be further enchanted as it continues to develop, along with the romance that has so much more story left to tell.

If you enjoy magical competition, practice kisses, and a plot that balances beautifully between the realistic and the fantastic, then The Rose Bargain is absolutely calling to you! It certainly has to me!

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for this complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily. 4.5✨

“I was perfect so that you got to be everything else.”

“The Rose Bargain,” by Sasha Peyton Smith

What I loved:
-Story line. Fae but in regency time with marriage markets and all that.
-Marriage selection for the prince’s hand with trials and dates.
-When they go into the marriage market in the book, they get a bargain to help their prospects. What I loved most was the consequences of some bargains are hilarious like one got her wish but now vomit when sees a frog, lol.
-The characters! I adore the FMC; she was so determined. I also adored both of the prince’s and loved how they are so close and get along with each other.
-I loved loved loved the ending!!! I want more of this story so much.

I loved every single aspect of the book, 5 out of 5 stars.

-Fae
-Regency
-Magic/ Bargains
-Marriage Selection
-Multi POV

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.

“She’s easier to love when she’s not in front of me. I like her so much more when she’s not around.”

“Why is it I can only hate people if I love them first?”

“No one tortures you like you do to yourself.”

4.5★

This was so easy to sink into and forget about anything else. I had a lot of fun. The plot followed a clear goal, had an interesting mystery tucked in from the start, and an absolutely WILD climax. I wasn't aware it's going to be a series, so I think the plot twist hit even harder, because I thought we were nearing the ending.

100% recommending to anyone who loves games and trials, forbidden love & fae.

I DIDNT KNOW THIS WAS GOING TO BE A SERIES. Ivy and Emmett hold my whole heart. This book was so easy to see yourself within, and delightful and anxiety inducing all at the same time. I cannot WAIT to get my hands on the next book.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Rose Bargain was the first book in a heartstopping duology by Sasha Peyton Smith about a competition to win the heart of the fae prince, which gives our heroine Ivy a way to save her family. The book follows Ivy Benton in her point of view but it offers occasional points of views from side characters. It was an interesting style of writing I didn’t necessarily find them that appealing but I appreciated the point of view that we received from the love interest.

Another aspect that I enjoyed is the lack of a love triangle present. There is nothing I hate more than a love triangle and there was not even a whisper of one in this book. The romance in this book was SOOOO good the chemistry was off the chart, the way that the love interest thought about her was so beautiful and the way that they loved was so deep.

I thought that I knew how the book was going to end but the plot twists that were present at the end of the book were jaw-dropping the cliff hanger and the end of the book made me want to read the next book immediately I cannot wait for the next book to come out and see if they could fix the problems that were made.

THE ROSE BARGAIN will be the perfect recommendation for readers who loved Stephanie Garber, Holly Black, and Victoria Aveyard's RED QUEEN. The world-building is rich, yet accessible, and I relished the (spoiler) choice for all the girls to come together eventually. We are done with pitting women against each other. Instead, let them rise up and fight back!

There is some minor drinking (which is in a party atmosphere and the assumption is these girls are of age in this world), and there is sex near the end. Otherwise, a very clean read for those patrons who care or ask. It ends on a killer cliffhanger, so I am excited to see where it goes!

Book Review: The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"The Rose Bargain" is a mesmerizing fantasy that beautifully intertwines romance, magic, and high-stakes competition. Set in a world reminiscent of high society England, it explores the complexities of relationships against a backdrop of fae enchantment.
At the heart of the story is the debutante competition for the fae prince, where young women compete for a chance to win his hand in marriage. This contest not only elevates the stakes but also amplifies the pressure on the protagonist, who is torn between her desire to secure her family’s future and her genuine feelings for another prince. The forbidden romance adds palpable tension, complicating her ambitions as she navigates the fierce competition and her heart’s true desires.
Magic is central to the plot, with each character making a bargain that comes at a cost. These deals create intriguing dilemmas and moral questions that drive the story forward. The presence of the fae queen adds an air of mystery and danger, elevating the tension as the characters grapple with the consequences of their choices.
As the girls face challenges together, they navigate rivalries and alliances that deepen their bonds in unexpected ways.
The unpredictable twists kept me on the edge of my seat, and the blend of romance and intrigue left me wanting more. Sasha Peyton has crafted a compelling tale that deftly explores the themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the price of ambition. I can't recommend this book enough for anyone looking for a thrilling escape into a beautifully imagined world!

Welcome to your next YA romantasy obsession.

The Rose Bargain is a mix of The Selection and The Cruel Prince. Set in an alternate history version of 19th century England, it has “Bridgerton” vibes, only the queen is a cruel, despotic fairy. It has tropes like only one bed and a love triangle between two brothers. The pacing is fast, and there are twists and reveals to keep up the intrigue. The prose is simple, and somewhat modern - don’t expect Austenian language.

I really like Emmett, one of the MMCs, who is a sad puppy of a character, but the romance here is a touch too instalove for my taste. We don’t see enough moments that develop the relationship between the FMC and the MMC, and so the moments at the end that should have punch land softer than I’d like.

I'm eagerly anticipating the sequel, as the first book does end on a cliffhanger. I think readers are going to love this.

I absolutely loved The Rose Bargain. This was a fun, enticing start to what I know is going to be a new fan-favorite romantasy duology (waiting for the sequel is going to be a trial for me!). Smith does an excellent job keeping the world-building and magic system simplistic enough that it isn't confusing but interesting enough to keep the world immersive and exciting.

I loved our lead Ivy and her loyalty and love for her family, as well as her budding friendships with the other girls.

The twist at the end was what I expected but I wasn't upset that I guessed it as the build up was still so adventurous and fun.

My only caveat is that I didn't feel like there was enough development between Ivy and Emmet for their feelings to feel earned to me but I still love them together, and I am so stressed to find out what happens to them in the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!