This was a trip and I was there for every minute! If you ever wondered what Bridgerton would look like, with the added competition of The Selection, and a pinch of fairie wickedness, then this is definitely the book you should pick up!!! The characters were all so amazing. You will feel something for every single one of them and especially the bond that the main 6 girls create! There was great tension, and that ending! I’m excited to see what book 2 is going to bring!

This was SO GOOD!!! The description of The Cruel Prince meets The Selection is PERFECT. This book instantly hooked me and very fast paced, I liked all of the characters and the occasional multi POV made it even more interesting! This book is all plot and court intrigue, I really loved it and the ending was fantastic. I definitely suspected there was more to the story but honestly didn’t see the plot twist. I can’t wait to read the next book, will definitely be continuing this series.
Thank you to NetGalley for my eARC.

What a fun YA read.

This hits the mark of a romance meant for the High School demographic while scratching the all too popular fairy subgenre itch.

I think I liked it as much as I did because it is vaguely reminiscent of The Selection by Kierra Cass only with the added use of fairies and a Regency-esque world.

Although the pacing definitely could have used some work it works well for a YA title and will work it's way into the teen reccomends for my branch.

I really enjoyed this book. If you love the Selection, this story will really resonate with you. I love the trials. I love the fae elements. Ivy is a strong female lead and I can't wait to see where Ms. Smith takes her character in the books to come.

This book reminds me of Bridgerton but with fae, magic, and trials. It was a little slow getting started, but once it picked up, I couldn’t put it down. I did start to get a little bored after the 60% mark, but then the ending came and surprised me. I would recommend reading if you like Bridgerton, The Selection, and/or books with fae in them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This was amazing from start to finish, and I cannot wait to see what the next book brings! The author does a wonderful job world building, creating a duality of earth and the Otherworld of the Fae. Although this is a common plot line, Smith brings a refreshed perspective. The characters are all entertaining, and you get to know them well throughout their development. The tension and romance are well done, and readers will find themselves rooting for relationships throughout. If you are a fan of fantasy and romance, this is a must read!

The ending had me shookith y’all! I need more!!

Thank you to Harper Collin’s and Netgalley for approving me to read this E-Arc, The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith 💗 I was so excited to when I received the email about this since this one was on my top this for this year 🫶🏼

It’s very true when everyone says this gives off The Cruel Prince and Bridgerton or The Selection because this book gave you all those goodies! I loved every second of this book which is why I gave this one a 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This story takes place in London, 1848 where your Queen is a faerie where she hosts these trials in order for the ladies to win Prince Bram’s hand and marriage. However, Ivy catches herself catching feelings for Emmett, the Prince’s Brother instead of Bram along the way.. 👀

The trials were so good in here as it kept you on your toes and I was just so intrigued by this story! I loved Emmett a lot he was funny and sweet and flirtatious and I actually liked Ivy as well, her character was great. She had some moments where I questioned her a lot but overall still liked her lol.

My favorite part in this book was the scene with Bram, Emmett, and Ivy where Emmett was trying to teach Ivy how to flirt/talk to Bram and when she mentioned the Shrimp comment and Emmett looked at her all horrified with big eyes 😂

Would highly recommend this one guys it was so good and I think you would like this to especially if you’re into trials, the queen is fae, and where the vibes give off Bridgerton or The Cruel Prince!

This is being released on Feb 4th so mark this on your calendar’s and pre-order in advance! 🥰🫶🏼✨💗

I really enjoyed Ivy's quest to marry the prince while hoping she could discover what her sister bargained the queen for. Ivy would do anything to help her sister gain back her memories, even if it means she will forfeit her future if she isn't chosen to marry the prince. Though things started off rocky with the five other girls in the competition, I loved how they learned to trust one another and build a friendship as they maneuvered the dangers of palace life with an immortal queen. The last few chapters felt rushed with too much happening, but at least I didn't suspect the twist. Thank you NetGalley for an ARC, I am excited to read the next book in the duology.

This is one of those books that you don’t realize how beautifully everything was set up until it all comes together.

To the comparisons being made to the Folk of the Air, that is apropos. These are far more traditional fae folk than most of what’s popular today, one of the epigraphs is even from Yeats.

The book feels slightly off kilter the entire time you’re reading, like you never know where you stand, and given the subject matter that seems right.

Set in a NOT Victorian 1840s (Faerie Queen Mor has ruled England since the War of the Roses), every citizen is offered a bargain, for a cost.

But as with any dealing with faeries, nothing can be taken at face value.

What starts as a bridal competition for the hand of the faerie prince becomes much more, with much at stake.

I am not typically one for love triangles but the balancing act, and the reasons for it, held my attention.

Prepare for games you aren’t even aware you’re playing, buckle up, and enjoy the ride.

Absolutely looking forward to the sequel.

I read and listened to this one, and just holy crap! It hooked me from the very first chapter and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. It was whimsical, dark, and completely captivating

The description of The Selection meets The Cruel Prince is very appropriate. This is the story of Ivy joining a contest for Prince Bram’s heart in an effort to help her family. Along the way, we witness the Queen’s evil streak, Ivy’s soft spot for her recently returned from the missing sister, and the connection blooming with the princes brother.
This book combines a lot of themes I enjoy. A group of girls competing. A Bridgerton feel with the court and community. Fae and enchantments. The characters are well described and I could visualize most of the book happening. The last 20%, though, is a loud crescendo. Things are well paced and building and then BOOM. A ton of things happen in a short period of time and it didn’t match the pace of the rest of the story. There would be one big thing and I’d think this is the cliffhanger for the next book. But then there were like four more. So there’s definitely a lot to address in book 2!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing with me an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

The comparison to The Cruel Prince and The Selection is fully warranted. As The Selection is a series I go back to time and time again as a comfort read, I was of course very eager to read The Rose Bargain! Throw in an alternate 1840s England, sneaky fae dealings, and we’ve got a winner.

This was a really quick read and I had so much fun with it! I loved the setting, it was very atmospheric and my imagination could easily paint a vivid picture.

All the characters were great in their own way, but the chapters with the other girls pov really didn’t add anything to the story for me. I feel like those chapters could have been utilized by better developing the romance…While I adored the MMC and ate up the angst between the two, their romance definitely did feel a little underdeveloped. I hope we will see more interaction between them in book two!

The standout here really is the relationship between the FMC and her sister, Lydia. They have a strong but fractured bond that will be interesting to explore moving forward. I found Lydia and the mystery surrounding her extremely intriguing and can’t wait to see more of her story unfold!

And lastly, that ending! *mind blown* I truly didn’t see all of that coming and boy am I anxious for the next book now!

Overall, I thought this was a great beginning to what I expect will be a beautiful duology. It’s a fun, light read with just enough intrigue, that will have readers enamored.

Really enjoyed this one! I loved the courtly competition with the fae twist. It was fun to see all the bargains people were making and the repercussions to them. I think my favorite thing though was actually the relationships between the 6 girls and how they started as enemies and became friends throughout their shared experiences. I will say, the romance was a little 2D and I personally thought some of the romance was too adult for a YA book, but I'm definitely intrigued and can't wait for book 2!

The Rose Bargain
by Sasha Peyton Smith

A Victorian inspired romantasy that I couldn’t put down. I loved Ivy! She’s so brave and went after what she wanted. I also loved the bond between her and her sister Lydia! Family is so important and if you have a close bond with them, you are so lucky! The love triangle was crazy! It made the book so interesting! There was so much going on in the story, I was never bored. I just kept wanting more! I’ve never read a Victorian inspired romantasy so it was very cool to read something different. I’m looking forward to the next book!

Thank you so much NetGalley, Sasha and HarperCollins Children’s Books for the ARC!

Publication Date: February 4th 2026
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#NetGalley #TheRoseBargain

This book started off strong and just didn't stop! This story starts with an unexpected twist for a group of young ladies who are entering society and ends with a twist that I am still reeling over!


A few key highlights: muddy maypole dancing, midnight dance lessons with the wrong brother, bargains that become a logistical nightmare, tunnels of love/hate, and a group of ladies who just need to learn their lessons!


Can ivy use this competition to bring her family back to society, or will she live to regret it?


And where the heck has Lydia been?!


Begging for book two at this point.

The Rose Bargain is set in the Regency era, where "every citizen of England is granted one bargain from their immortal fae queen." I loved the concept of the bargains and the risk each carried. The trials throughout the novel became a bit too intense for my taste but I can see how some readers may find it compelling. I would have also liked more build up to the romance. However, I was intrigued from the very beginning, and I'll definitely be reading the second book when it's published.
Thank you to HarperCollins and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

"Vying for the hand of one brother.

Falling in love with the other.

A new Victorian-inspired romantasy, perfect for fans of Bridgerton, The Selection, and The Cruel Prince.

London, 1848 - For four hundred years, England has been under the control of an immortal fae queen who tricked her way onto the throne. To maintain an illusion of benevolence, Queen Mor grants each of her subjects one opportunity to bargain for their deepest desire.

As Ivy Benton prepares to make her debut, she knows that not even a deal with the queen could fix what has gone wrong: Her family's social standing is in shambles, her sister is a shadow of her former self, and Ivy's marriage prospects are nonexistent. So when the queen announces a competition for Prince Bram's hand, Ivy is the first to sign her name in blood. What a bargain can't fix, a crown certainly could.

Ivy soon finds herself a surprising front-runner - with the help of an unexpected ally: Prince Bram's brother, the rakish Prince Emmett, who promises to help Ivy win his brother's heart...for a price. But as the season sweeps Ivy away, with glittering balls veiling the queen's increasingly vicious trials, Ivy realizes there's more at stake than just a wedding. Because all faerie bargains come with a cost, and Ivy may have discovered hers too late.

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch Haven comes a tale that will leave readers eager to bargain for a sequel."

Oh, no, I'm smart enough not toe bargain for a sequel. No faerie bargains for me.

LOVED!!!! This was unique and so fun! i love that it’s set in high society with faeries and bargains! The love triangle was painfully wonderful 😫

Did I suspect the ending? Somewhat but the full weight and reality shocked me! I need book 2 like I need air.

Highly recommending this to my audience!

Whew where do I even begin? First, let me say the comp titles for this book were spot on because it was giving everything I expected and more.

I loved Ivy, our narrator, so much. She was so fierce, so brave, and felt so responsible for reclaiming her family’s good standing in society that she was willing to do whatever it took to win. As a sister myself, I understood deeply the war she felt within herself about how much she loved her sister but also hated how much responsibility fell on her own shoulders.

Honestly, I thought the romance was great. Intriguing and…a few other words I could use that I think would be spoilery so I’ll refrain. But I somehow loved the friendships that developed between the girls competing for Bram’s hand more. The found family aspect was unmatched.

All said, I’m entirely obsessed with this book. SPS SLAYED this one, and I can’t wait for what’s next 🤭

Wow, wow, WOW. This was just the book I needed to read at the start of 2025. There was something so beautifully reminiscent about this book. As soon as I read the synopsis I just needed to read this book. It felt like I was being transported back into something so nostalgic, with faeries and magic. It was SUCH a good YA fantasy romance. Like there was the yearning, the drama, the angst, and the STAKES. This is just what I needed and more, and I need the next book right NOW!!

One of the things I loved the most about this book was the dynamic between Ivy and her sister Lydia. I felt so connected to their bond. I also loved the stakes in this book, as Ivy had make it through the competition to help save her family from ruin. Like it made things just even more nerve wracking. I honestly wish there were more games and to make things more thrilling.

I was truly transported into this book and this world and the twists and turns that came along with it.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for gifting me a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review!