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.