Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollin’s Children’s Books for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Rose Bargain is not my usual type of book but given stories involving the fae are very popular right now, combined with the intriguing description for the book, I was eager to see if this could be a good introduction this popular area of the fantasy genre. I’m glad I picked this up as it has me hooked. I read the selection series years ago and loved that concept, which this book has similarities to, along with the idea of the bargains the young women in this book have to contend with.

Set in the 1800’s in a bit of magical alternate history, the focus of the first book in what is promised to be a series is Ivy, who joins other young women in a competition for the Faerie Queen’s son’s hand in marriage. We also explore Ivy’s relationship with her family, especially her sister Lydia who she has been close with but who has her own burden she is bearing. The Rose Bargain artfully introduces us to magical ‘rules’ and structure of this time in history while keeping the logic behind the bargains a bit vague, which I suspect will lend to some twists in future books. I didn’t anticipate the romance in this to focus on a love triangle but its inclusion kept me interested for more reasons than just the magic and the tension the Faerie Queen, Moryen, brings.

Left with some did not see them coming twists at the end and a bit of a cliffhanger, I’m curious to see how the second book continues this story! If you like faerie romantasy it felt like this was deeply engaging, and if you are also new to these type of stories and would like to test the waters, I felt this wasn’t so complex it would lose a new reader while also bringing in classic fiction concepts to act as familiar hooks.

4 stars! 🌹

This was a fun, quick-paced, fairytale YA Novel! ✨

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

“There are two truths I didn’t know then that I know now,
The first: there is no greater insult to a faerie than tricking him.
The second: once they love you. They will not let you go.”

How dare you leave me on that cliffhanger! Now I am going to have to wait for the second book because I am eager to know what happens next.

In “The Rose Bargain” we follow Ivy Benton, our strong female lead who ultimately wants the best for her family, even if it doesn’t align with her desires. Every year, during the Pact Parade young women in her society must present themselves to possible suitors and are given the option to make a bargain with the fae queen Moryen that will make them “more appealing or desirable” as wives. When Ivy receives an invitation to participate, Queen Mor drops a huge bombshell. Her son Bram will be getting married to one of these lovely women, but they must sign their lives away to secure their spot in the competition. With a lot to lose, but even more to gain Ivy along with some companions make a choice that will shift their lives forever, win or lose. Everything comes with a heavy price, and Queen Mor is testing the girls beyond their limits with cruel “lessons.” Every one of them competing seemingly wants Bram, and they will do whatever it takes for the promise of a better future. Who will make it out on top? What are the consequences of failure? Can they trust the fae queen and her sons?

This was a really easy book to follow along with...The magic system was simple, our characters stayed true to themselves, and the romance was significant without being overbearing (we love to see it.) I got such a kick out of the ludicrous bargains made with Queen Mor. Every time a girl gained something she wanted - she lost something from herself in return. For example, when Greer lost the ability to turn left, she had to enter rooms by turning to the right in a circle. What a creative concept. The friendship with the girls really outshined in this book because they went the extra mile to look out for one another, regardless of their own selfish wants. The way they opened up and gave each other support was so cute 🥹. There were plenty of moments that made me feel empathetic for Ivy, at the loss of her sister’s drive and personality. She holds her in the highest regard, and it must be gut-wrenching to experience Lydia in this horrible way.

“If I weren’t so horribly defined by everything I’ve ever loved and lost, maybe I could be the kind of person who moved through life easily.”

I will say this time and time again; I can NEVER guess a good plot twist. Just when I thought I had everything mapped out in my head - surprise shawty - no you did not.
I enjoyed getting other character’s POVs and experiencing their thoughts and emotions. I would LOVE to read more of Lydia and Emmett’s perspective in the next book. ✨

I feel like this is going to be a huge romantasy hit when it releases. I feel it in my bones.

I sped through The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith and had a good time with it. Is it anything ground breaking? No. You've got your standard YA FanRo here. But it works for its genre so if you're a fan of the popular similar reads, you will enjoy this too. The Cruel Prince meets The Selection is an absolutely accurate depiction of The Rose Bargain.

The alternate history setting of a Fae ruled England was an interesting take and the plot kept the story moving quickly, which I appreciated it. There's some good twists at the end too, including one I didn't see coming, so I'm already looking forward to the next book to see what happens. I was confused by a couple plot holes that didn't get cleared up by the end, so I hope they're addressed in the coming works in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this and would have read the entire thing in one sitting had I not been required to go to work today lol. I liked the world and the characters. I also liked the inclusion of other characters POV's randomly throughout the story. Also did not see the twist at the end coming!

This book immerses readers into a world where the familiar merges with the fantastical—a reimagined 1840s England where a faerie queen holds sway over the realm, and every citizen is offered one life-altering bargain. Set against this richly atmospheric backdrop, the story centers around Ivy Benton, a young woman from a once-prominent family now teetering on the brink of ruin. With her sister bound by a devastating fae bargain and her family's future at stake, Ivy finds herself thrust into a competition to win the heart of the fae prince, Bram. But as she ventures deeper into the glittering, dangerous world of faerie bargains, she quickly discovers that the true cost of victory might be more than she ever imagined.

Smith masterfully blends elements of historical fiction with dark fantasy, creating a vibrant world that feels both familiar and otherworldly. The courtly intrigue, vicious competition, and Ivy’s tangled relationships lend a gripping tension to the narrative, while the presence of eerie fae magic adds an unsettling layer that keeps readers on edge. The romantic elements are delicately woven into the plot, with Ivy caught between two brothers in a love triangle that, while somewhat predictable, still manages to tug at the heartstrings.

One of the standout aspects of the novel is Ivy’s relationship with her sister, Lydia, which forms a core emotional thread throughout the book. Their bond is both tender and fraught, reflecting the difficult choices that must be made when family and loyalty are tested by forces beyond their control. As Ivy navigates the cutthroat competition and the mysteries of the fae court, her determination and resilience shine through, even as she grapples with the moral consequences of the bargains she encounters.

While the story is undeniably engaging, it does falter in a few places. The romantic subplot, while sweet, sometimes feels rushed, lacking the deeper development that would have made Ivy's emotional journey more compelling. Additionally, the competition itself, which is central to the plot, could have been expanded to heighten the stakes and deepen the dynamics between the characters. More games, more tension, and a greater exploration of the fae queen’s eerie influence would have added a sharper edge to the story.

Despite these shortcomings, The Rose Bargain is an absorbing read for fans of fantasy romance, particularly those drawn to stories of fae bargains and courtly drama. With its unique premise and vivid world-building, the novel sets the stage for an exciting sequel that promises to delve even deeper into the mysteries and dangers of Ivy’s world. Smith’s ability to weave an enchanting yet perilous tale ensures that readers will be eagerly anticipating the next installment in this captivating duology.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books | HarperCollins for providing me this digital reviewer copy in exchange of my honest thoughts.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“The Rose Bargain” by Sasha Peyton Smith is a captivating historical fantasy set in an alternate version of 1840s England, where the War of the Roses ended differently, and a faerie queen now rules the country. This unique twist on history, especially with the focus on the inhuman faerie queen and the unfair bargains creates a rich backdrop for a story filled with intrigue, magic, and unexpected alliances. If you are a fan of “The Selection” and the Bridgerton series, then you will definitely enjoy this book. While there are some cliches scattered throughout, I still found this book very fun and interesting.

The story follows Ivy Benton, a young woman whose family has fallen from grace. Ivy sees her chance to restore her family’s standing by competing for the hand of a fae prince. As Ivy navigates the trials and tribulations of the competition, she forms bonds with the other contestants and grapples with her conflicting feelings toward the fae prince and his brother, setting up a compelling love triangle. The romance, while sweet and demure, does feel a bit rushed at times, lacking the depth of meaningful interactions. I was not expecting a love triangle when I first went into this book, but there is at least a very clear winner of this love triangle.

Smith does an excellent job of creating a vivid, atmospheric world where faerie bargains come with dangerous consequences. The inhuman qualities of the fae and the horror elements subtly woven into the story add a unique and chilling layer to the story. The faerie queen, in particular, is portrayed with an eerie, unnatural presence that you on edge, contributing to a sense of underlying menace. I actually wanted more of the queen and the games she had the contestants play. Whenever the queen was involved in the plot, I felt a sense of unease, and I wanted more of that as the faerie aspect kept this book apart from other similar stories.

The book shines in its character development, especially with Ivy and her complex relationship with her sister, Lydia. The sisterly bond is both endearing and tense. The story also benefits from chapters that offer other characters’ perspectives, adding depth to the story and allowing you to understand the other contestants’ motivations and personal growth. This is something I also wanted more of throughout the book. While I enjoyed Lydia’s perspectives, learning more about the other characters and their bargains made the story even more interesting to me.

The pacing can be a bit uneven, with some sections feeling rushed or underdeveloped, specifically with the romance. The competition's trials, also, are few and could have been expanded to enhance the story’s tension and character dynamics. I wish the rules around the wishes granted by the faerie queen could have been better explained, as it’s puzzling why none of the girls wished for the prince’s love or to win the competition outright. They also could have wished for even more of a better outcome in the competition or try to find loopholes like Lydia.

Nevertheless, the book delivers a fun, engaging read that mixes historical fiction with fantasy elements in a fresh way. While it leans heavily on familiar tropes and occasionally stumbles in its execution, “The Rose Bargain” offers enough twists, turns, and emotional depth to keep you invested. The unexpected ending and strong setup for the sequel promise more excitement and intrigue in the next installment. Overall, “The Rose Bargain” is perfect for fans of fantasy romance with a historical twist, those who enjoy stories about faeries and bargains, and readers who appreciate a tale that balances light-hearted moments with darker, more ominous undertones. I definitely can’t wait to read the sequel.

I received this book as an ARC. This story focuses on a young woman who wants to save her family from the bargains made with the fae queen.

I found the FMC to be interesting, as she loves her family dearly but hold such anger towards them for the things that have recently transpired.

I felt like the twist was a bit predictable and would have liked to see more of the “ending.” The book feels like it speeds up dramatically for the last 15-20% of the story and then just abruptly ends.

I am intrigued to see what happens in the next one.

I absolutely loved this book! I read it in one setting because it was so good and I could not get enough of the characters. I really loved the characters the author created and there journey that they took. The story was fast paced but detailed where I felt immersed but not bored. I will be recommending this book to all of my family and friends.

This book was so enjoyable, I loved the setting of the story and how it created such high tension and high stakes!

This book was, overall, a fun read. A nice historical setting (although I was thrown off by some things like rock paper scissors, but maybe they played that in the 1800’s?), and I loved the fae! The main character was portrayed really well, and had an interesting relationship with her sister. A lot of the characters felt very well thought out, and the villain arc was so freaking good! We got some chapters with perspectives from other characters, and I loved what that added to the book. They fit in the story pretty perfectly, in my opinion.

But, there were a lot of things in the book that I wished were explored further. The games that the queen had them playing, the romance which felt very rushed, and the wishes! We only had, like, two or three games, and I feel like it would have been a better story with a few more. It would have also given the girls more chances to bond. The romance was cute, but I didn’t feel like they had that many meaningful interactions. And, the wishes. I wish (hehe, wish) that the boundaries of the wishes and been explored more. I was definitely sitting there wondering why the girls didn’t wish for other things, which I will not specify in order to not ruin the plot.

Overall, this was a fun read, but could have been developed better!

I would recommend this book if you love fae, enjoyed the competition in The Selection, and don’t mind a few plot holes.

Completely mesmerised by this dark, enchanting world! Smith’s writing is lush and immersive, pulling you into a world both mesmerising and sinister. If you’re in the mood for wicked fae, sharp-edged banter, and a heroine fighting for more than just love, this story will sweep you away.

Thank you Sasha Peyton Smith, Net Galley and Harper Collins for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

Overall, I enjoyed this book! It absolutely gave me Bridgerton meets Powerless vibes which was so fun and different from so many other fantasy books out there. Some of the sections felt a little bit rushed and didn’t make total sense to me, but required to happen to push the plot forward so I can understand that. I definitely did not see the ending coming and the villain arc that came was great, definitely excited to explore that more as the books go on!

I really enjoyed the fmc’s inner battles with loving & hating the same things and seeing the line between love and hate being so thin. It was so relatable and not a typical characteristic I see in most novels I read. It makes her development as a character so much fun to read and I’m sure she’ll be an entirely different person by the end of the series! I’m also excited to see Lydia’s development and if the sisters will become enemies or work together, because I really feel like it could go either way right now, or maybe even a combination of both with the love & hate theme between them and the girls in the competition.

The romance was sweet and more demure on page, similar to Daphne’s story in Bridgerton. It did feel a bit rushed, but it was cute nonetheless. I actually liked the few other pov chapters sprinkled in so we could really get a feel for the other characters’ love stories & personal development!

There were a couple of glaring plot holes, however, that really bothered me. For example, (minor spoiler) not a single one of the girls asked for the prince to fall in love with them as their wish? Not a single one wished to win the competition? Or even just wished to look most desirable to the princes’ standards? Even if the queen wouldn’t allow those wishes, it made absolutely no sense to me that nobody asked. Also… the hickey?? Not a single person questioned her visible hickey before the wedding? I have a couple more below the spoiler warning down below, but there were quite a few plot holes that just couldn’t be covered up for the sake of advancing the plot for me.

I would say overall it was an easy and fun read, with a few twists and turns sprinkled in and an unexpected ending! Nothing revolutionary but absolutely an enjoyable read and I would recommend it for those just reading for the vibes!

SPOILERS BELOW

A few more big plot holes that are hard for me to just use plot development as an explanation:

Ivy could have simply bargained that the town forget about Lydia’s ruin and that would have gotten her to her same goal without risking everything. I know the premise of the book is for her to join the competition, but the reasoning was lacking.

Not necessarily a plot hole but I didn’t love quickly Ivy fell for Emmett. She barely had a moment alone with him in the whole book where they weren’t talking about Bram and it really felt like she fell in love with him as fast as Olive fell for Bram.

In her wish to erase Emmett from her memory… in what world would the prince not question this after he saw she clearly did not know who Emmett was? How would they explain that? This was kind of covered up with the ending and the prince never getting to ask, but it was my immediate thought when she wished for it

And lastly…. The queens phrasing on the bargain for the competition was filled with massive holes. Ivy simply said “I present myself as a suitor for the prince” but did not say WHICH prince. Ivy (or any of the other girls) could have easily married Emmett and the bargain would have been fulfilled with the wording of the bargain.

reviewers were spot on when they said this is a mix of Bridgerton and The Wicked Prince. I would also say a little bit of Throne of Glass as well with the competition aspect. overall, I loved the story and the characters! there were a couple things that the FMC did that kinda bugged me, but overall it was a fun story and I can’t wait for the next one!

Immense thank you to HarperCollins Children's and NetGalley for an early copy of this book.

I absolutely loved The Rose Bargain. Think Kiera Cass's The Selection, except instead of a dystopian setting, it's historical in 1840s England. Not the Victorian Era, technically, because there is no Queen Victoria. The War of the Roses (Not GRRM's, the actual one) ended much differently in this world, and a faerie queen rules England. Ivy Benton has watched her family fall from society's graces and desperately hopes a chance to marry the fae prince could save them, but will her heart survive the trials?

An endearing sisterly bond, the strength of young ladies, tests of family and friendship, and two princely brothers kept me enthralled in the story. I had suspicions how some pieces of the plot would unfold, but I did not conceive of the web that Smith wove for readers (and Ivy) to fall into. While I love Ivy's steadfast determination to do what she feels is right, the ending tore my heart out. Stakes are high for book 2. I've read and know enough of British and Irish faerie lore to doubt trusting a fae, but these characters are written so well that they are fully believable. How much some characters and supposed events should be trusted is left in the air for book 2. After marinating on the conclusion of the first half of this duology for a full day, now I am left pondering the symbolism behind Ivy's name, the choice of the surname Benton (Bennet, anyone?), and the meaning behind multiple characters' first names. This book goes deep beyond making me laugh, nearly cry, and thinking on bargains' worth.