Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review. This review contains some minor spoilers. This book was a 4.5/5 stars for me.

The book begins with a brief historical background, which I thought was a great way to introduce the Victorian-era setting and explain why the characters live under the rule of an immortal fae Queen. In this world, people can make a bargain with the Queen, but every wish comes at a price. While many seek beauty, talent, or wealth, Ivy Benton’s main goal is to help her sister Lydia and her family.

At the start of the book, Ivy is preparing to make her debut in society. This season, the Queen announces that her son, Crown Prince Bram, will choose a wife, sparking a competition for his hand in marriage. The twist is that any woman who competes but isn’t selected will be forbidden from marrying anyone else and must live as a spinster. Ivy enters the competition, hoping to improve her family’s social standing, as the Benton family is facing financial ruin and dealing with a recent scandal involving her sister Lydia.

The comparison to The Cruel Prince meets The Selection is spot-on. The book blends political intrigue with a “Bachelor”-esque competition for the Crown Prince’s affections. I initially thought I might get bored of Prince Bram spending time with each contestant, but the pacing was well done, and I didn’t find it too repetitive. As the story progresses, you begin to understand why each of the contestants entered the competition, and there are even chapters from the other contestants' POV, which adds depth to several side characters.

Prince Emmett, the second prince, is a notorious rake who wants to help Ivy get closer to Prince Bram and win the competition. While Emmett has his own reasons for wanting Ivy to succeed, Ivy is motivated by her desire to help her family. As Ivy works with Emmett, she grows closer to him, but she is also developing feelings for Bram.

Themes of sacrifice, personal growth, and navigating difficult choices are central to this story. There’s an underlying sense of mystery throughout, and the last few chapters had me on edge. I’m eagerly awaiting the next book to see what happens next!

Wow! What an intense ride! The Rose Bargain is like The Selection meets Bridgerton meets The Cruel Prince, and I was swept up into this dark fantasy so fast! The main character, Ivy, is very easy to root for, and I liked the others in the competition too. The story has a love triangle, which isn't a trope I typically enjoy, and I didn't love it in this one. Initially, I really disliked the fact that it would pit the brothers against each other, but it ended up working well. I liked both brothers and could see Ivy falling for either of them,

I would say this is a darker romantasy, with a cruel fae queen ruling over England and creating pain, humiliation, and havoc all over the place. Oof, this female stressed me out with her manipulations and machinations. But there are other big bads just as vicious as the queen, and they had me in a chokehold!

And the twists! Whew! The plot is good, and I definitely didn't see a few of those shockers coming! It has a ton of political intrigue, suspense, some interesting world-building, and bargaining with the fae that takes a dark and twisty turn.

The Rose Bargain follows Ivy Benton who wants nothing more than for her sister to come back to her and for her families fortune to be confirmed. When her sister shows back up not knowing what happened, she decides to make a bargain with the fairy queen to try to help her sister. Instead she finds herself in a fierce competition for the hand of the crowned prince and tied up in a plot with the other prince of the realm. As mysteries unravel, she finds herself pulled into a plot that is bigger than she ever expected.
I thought this was a pretty good book and a really quick read. This book is set in 1800's England but in an alternative history where a fairy queen has taken over the crown during the Wars of the Roses and has been ruling since then. Every year she gives favors to every person who reaches the age of eighteen and creates a dangerous game for that years debutantes. This book was very much giving historical romance in the fact of we see the ton and balls and parties a lot. However, it also had that twist of the fact that we are seeing this very dangerous competition for the princes hand happening.
The way Sasha Peyton Smith intertwined the historical world with the fantasy elements was really well done and I found myself really drawn into this book when I was able to sit down and read it. The writing flowed very easily and wasn't overly flowery in its delivery. I really liked Ivy as a main character and seeing the point of view of other characters in this book really felt like it rounded out the story well.
I wasn't absolutely obsessed with this story and I do think the love story element of it was a little rushed but this is going to be a duology so I can understand why it was that way. I did find myself wanting to read this when I had a minute but it wasn't one I was thinking about all the time.
Overall, a pretty solid start to a duology and I can't wait to see what Sasha Peyton Smith has in store for the next one. I definitely think this book is a must pick up as it was really good and a quick read.

This book had me in a bit of a chokehold. I'm honestly surprised I read this in less than 24-hours. And after all the excitement found within its pages, I find the biggest afterthought to simply be: Is this a standalone? Surely, it can't be a standalone... It's not flagged as a series though. If this is a standalone, then the ending is just cruel.

Overall, I am in love with the six girls who compete. For a while, I also loved both princes. I'm normally really good at picking up some foreshadowing, so I was genuinely surprised when we learn about Bram's truth. I do have to wonder, how can there be two queens of the Otherworld? He married Lydia, did he not? Honestly, I'm a little confused on how Ivy could be considered Queen of the Otherworld when her sister currently is. Are they allowed to have more than one?

I love the concept of the trials and I love the rose bargains. They're perfect examples of fae cruelty. I also enjoyed the POV of each of the girls; including Lydia. These POVs helped me feel more connected to the girls. I just don't understand why we would go through their POV, only for the biggest takeaways to come to light in the next Ivy chapter. I felt that could have been handled better.

At the end of it all, I'm genuinely rating this 3.5 stars. I have too many questions regarding the future of this book (series?) and the integrity of the fae courts/bargains. I fell out of the fantastical and wound up pondering too much of the rational, which ruins the reading experience for me.

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!