Układ Róż

The Rose Bargain #1

by Sasha Peyton Smith, Kinga Markiewicz (Translator)

Niektóre układy mogą złamać serce, inne - zniszczyć świat.

Od czterystu lat Anglia znajduje się pod władzą nieśmiertelnej królowej Moryen. By podtrzymać swoją pozycję, władczyni oferuje poddanym szansę na zawarcie układu, który umożliwia spełnienie najgłębszych pragnień.

Ivy Benton od dziecka słyszała historie o potędze i okrucieństwie wróżkowych umów. Odkąd życie jej siostry Lydii zostało zniszczone przez jedną z nich, przysięgła sobie, że nigdy nie zawrze żadnego układu. Jednak gdy jej rodzinie grozi upadek, dziewczyna musi wykorzystać ostatnią szansę, by temu zapobiec. Postanawia wziąć udział w niebezpiecznym turnieju o serce syna królowej, księcia Brama. Nagroda? Dla większości - zaręczyny z księciem, dla Ivy - możliwość zabezpieczenia przyszłości rodziny i szansa na uwolnienie siostry z okrutnego układu.

Sześć dziewcząt staje do walki o swoją przyszłość. Każdy sojusz może okazać się pułapką, a uczucia – najniebezpieczniejszą bronią. Ivy ma plan, ale nawet najlepsze strategie mogą obrócić się przeciwko niej. Bo jeśli układy rządzą królestwem… co stanie się z tą, która odważy się je zerwać?

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Young Adult, Fae, Historical Fiction, Audiobook

400 pages, Hardcover

First published February 4, 2025

About the author

Sasha Peyton Smith is the New York Times best selling author of The Witch Haven and The Witch Hunt. She’s passionate about well-curated road trip playlists, soup recipes, and stories about complicated girls. Originally from Utah, she now lives in Washington D.C. with her partner and collection of porcelain hands.

Reviews

[Larissa Cambusano · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg I need book 2 immediately

[Emmy Rosam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply speechless. That was unexpected! I just know book 2 is going to be insane 😌

If you’re in the mood for a YA fantasy romance and your comfort reads are: OUABH, The Cruel Prince, Belladonna… I think you’ll like this

[Destiny Sidwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

wow

[SK · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I had to make a bargain like they did in this book, I would ask for a refund cause what in the hell was that? 🥲

This is definitely not for everyone. While I understand how and why some would like it, I still have issues in understanding the hype. The writing and execution of the plot is subpar. I get that it's YA but this was really juvenile even for that. I can see that the author had a clear idea of the plot and what she wanted to do. But the way she wrote it is messy, all over the place and poor. It jumps from plot points and twists to redundant scenes to trying to force chemistry and it pissed me off.

I could not relate or understand any of the main characters. Ivy is presented as a feisty, straightforward and determined fmc. But she loses her spark very quickly and remains nothing but a pushover and egoistic fmc. Bram, is a poorly written Kitt. Emmett is a poorly written Kai. There, I said it. The only character I liked was Queen Mor, because she was absolutely cruel and wicked and it gave some flair to the story. The others could have died and I wouldn't have shed a tear.

The chemistry between the characters is so forced and the banter made me roll my eyes. The romance was meh, I would much rather there was none of it. The dynamic between the sisters though, Ivy and Lydia was far more interesting. Imo that should have been explored more and the romance should have taken a backseat given Ivy and Lydia are made to be shown a far deeper and complex relation.

Unfortunately for me, I will continue with the series because the ending was decently entertaining and dramatic enough to capture my attention. But the rest of the book? Nah, not worth it.


~•~•~
The paperback is so pretty but it's time to put the hype to the test 👀

[Alexia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

I’ll begin with the few things I liked, which were quite limited. Firstly, I appreciated the concept, but the execution fell flat. The first half of the book was enjoyable; it had a fun vibe, and if I managed to overlook the romance, it provided a pleasant reading experience. I genuinely thought this would turn into a four-star book because I loved that initial half. Marion Thorne stood out as the best character, and I wish she had been the protagonist.

Now, let’s dive into what I didn’t like, which is much more substantial. The pacing was chaotic. Events rushed by so quickly that I often felt disoriented. As for the characters, simply giving side characters POV chapters doesn’t mean you can skimp on developing their personalities. They were so flat that I struggled to keep track of who was who.
The friendship between the girls felt quite surface-level due to the lack of depth in the side characters.

The last half of the book was utterly ridiculous; I found myself laughing because it felt like a prank—there was no way what was happening could be taken seriously. And the romance? A complete disaster. If I can even label it as romance, it was the biggest factor that derailed the story for me. The relationship progressed so quickly that it felt like I was missing key scenes of the couple spending time together.

Emmett is an atrocious love interest, and surprisingly, even after everything, I still prefer Bram(though he was not much better). Why do authors persist in believing that all women are attracted to men with a playboy reputation? I find these kinds of male love interests to be so cringe-worthy. The situation with Faith only added to my dislike for him. We seemed to spend more time on his secret "love story" with Faith than with Ivy. I would have understood if Faith had been a likable character, but she really was not. Even after learning about her past, I still didn’t like her. The lack of chemistry between the main couple made this even worse.
Also, that sex scene.....why? That's all I want to ask...why?

Ivy was also frustratingly passive and went along with whatever everyone wanted, which made it hard for me to care about her after the first half.

In conclusion, if the story had focused solely on Ivy entering the contest out of a desire to gain power and beat the Fae at their own game, it could have been fantastic. Unfortunately, it was not.

[Claudia Lomelí · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esto estuvo buenazo jajajaja.

[liz ౨ৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

➸ 3.5 stars

“When one makes a faerie bargain, one must be prepared to pay the price. There is one silver lining. I have nothing to lose.”

𓍢⊹ ࣪ thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the advanced readers copy!

✨ marriage competition
🌹 minor trials
✨ forbidden love
🌹 faerie bargains
✨ high society 1848 london

this was such a fun read! it was really easy to read and i flew through it! immediately from chapter one i was utterly obsessed with the banter between ivy and emmet and it was such a promising start to the book!

overall, things kind of just fell from there for me. i still don’t know what to think of ivy, the fmc, i just don’t have much thoughts there! i did like emmet, mostly because of the dynamic between him and ivy HOWEVER i felt like there was no build up which made me not really see a connection between them!

ALSO, authors and getting quite bold these days sneaking in fully detailed smut chapters in YOUNG ADULT novels!!! what happened to fade to black???? a warning of explicit content at the start would be nice to have for the younger readers out there at least!

i also felt like the stakes weren’t high; the trials were boring and overall i felt like nothing exciting was happening… UNTIL THE END!!!! i did like the twist at the end and i kind of saw it coming but it was nice having a oh my god this really just happened moment and im definitely looking foward to book two!!

i wish we could’ve gotten more of the side characters and their stories! i absolutely loved their povs and i found them all so intriguing!! GREER DESERVED BETTER. anyways, i hope to see more of them as they have some amazing stories for their characters and i really loved the friendships they found with each other!!

[Rachel (ravenhairedreader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

changing to a 4 star rating after sitting with this for awhile but it’s STILL FANTASTIC but sunrise on the reaping has altered what I think a 5 star is so now i’m questioning everything k BYE

[Uswah · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT A GREAT BOOK!!! 🌷💖🎀

A BEAUTIFUL READ, JUST LIKE ITS BEAUTIFUL COVER! 💍🌹😼

If you’re a fan of Stephanie Garber and Holly Black, then read it IMMEDIATELY…😘
FINALLY, a lovely fantasy read after so long! 🤗

~Spoilers ahead~

Ivy Benton is such a fierce FMC and very strong. 🥹 I loved her tactics, and ahh—I absolutely adore her! 🤭🙂‍↕️ She is such a beautifully written character.


Prince Emmett De Vere 🙂‍↕️ MY SHAYLAAAAA!!! I loved him from his first appearance in the book, and my love for him grew after reading this scene:

“His eyebrows are furrowed, his mouth screwed up in a scowl, his hands balled into white-knuckled fists. Standing completely still, staring at me like he absolutely loathes me, is Prince Emmett De Vere.”

AHHHHHH!!! I’M NOT SQUEALING (YES, I AM). 😆🤭


And Prince Bram, pls die. 🥰
(Sorry for thinking good things about you. 😒)

Also, the other girls 👀—I’m impressed, though. I can’t wait to read more about their teamwork.🎀💖🌷 SO LOVELY 🥹🥹

I NEED BOOK 2. RN. MY IMPATIENT AHH CAN’T WAIT! 😭

Okay, Emmett's scenes always made me feel so good and 🦋🦋🦋 (👀). From the first scene until the end. My poor boy didn’t deserve that ending 🫠. But yes, I’m rooting for Ivy and the girls to save him and Lydia (oooh, I love her too. Well, ig atp I love everyone except Bram). I loved the banter between Ivy and Emmett so much. OMG 🤭! Fictional characters… you guys are my obsession fr. 😩

At first, I liked the interaction between Ivy and Bram (pls die🥰) too, but now I loathe him, and I feel so silly for thinking Bram was a golden retriever. 😃 (Forgive me.)

YES, THAT’S ALL. ✌️ (EMMETT, OH EMMETT, I LOVE YOU! *shrimp with a heart on its head* IYKYK 👀)
____________________________
Pre-read

FINALLYYYYYY…. I’M SO EXCITED 🌷🎀😆

ALSO THE COVER HELLOOOO!?!? 👀 SOOOO PRETTY OMG🌷🎀💖🩷

[✨Julie✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

✩ 3 stars ✩

What to Expect:
➼ Faerie Bargains
➼ Forbidden Love
➼ Marriage Competition
➼ Dangerous Trials
➼ Kissing for Practice
➼ Love Triangle
➼ Only One Bed
➼ Alternate History (1848 England)
➼ Immortal Fae Queen ruling England
➼ Unexpected Twists
➼ First Person Multi POV

This is a stunning book (I own the Fairyloot edition) that had a very intriguing premise that unfortunately I won’t be recommending.

The author had me hooked at the beginning but from there my interest started to wane. I struggled to connect with the FMC (Ivy) and I couldn’t muster up much interest for either MMC. (Also hate a love triangle. 🙄) The trials the girls faced should have been the main focus, but most of them felt very rushed and lacked originality. The book was written in First Person Multi POV which did set the book apart a bit, but I think there were some missed opportunities to add more subterfuge between the girls. In a way it was kind of nice that the girls were mostly kind and supportive of each other, but it seemed unrealistic to me since they were in competition and the consequences of failure were steep.

With so much hanging in the balance, it was disappointing that so much of Ivy’s focus seemed to repeatedly return to the past love interests of one of the Princes. My biggest issue however was that the author included an explicit scene in a book that is marketed as YA - a genre that is marketed to children as young as 12. I really don’t understand why this scene wasn’t removed or at least rewritten to be more fade to black when the book was edited.

I am on the fence on whether or not I will read book two. There was a pretty major twist at the end that could take the series in an interesting direction, but at this point I feel pretty indifferent about continuing. I’m bummed that I didn’t love this more, especially considering how gorgeous my Fairyloot SE is! Oh well, it will still look pretty on my shelf. 🌸

✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼

Pre-read: A society where all citizens are expected to make a Fae bargain? What could go wrong? 🙃

≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫

Connect with me on Instagram

[ivy · Rating 3 out of 5]

೯⠀⁺ ⠀ 𖥻  3 stars ���

⌗ this review contains no spoilers!

⤹ bring back fun romantasies! ‘the rose bargain’ is literally an upgraded version of the selection & the powerless series, a i had the best time with it. this was addicting, fast-paced, and so entertaining.

⠀⠀ ☆ (   the characters  ) ...

﹒ꗃ all of them were nothing special - the plot and romance were definitely the biggest and most important parts of this book. ivy, our main character (name twin!) was almost the epitome of a typical romantasy fmc. however, she didn’t annoy me so that was a plus. emmett and bram, our princes (aka the two love interests), were LITERALLY kitt and kai. the exact same. honestly, the similarities were so accurate they were almost scary. i also loved all the girls - the found family that they formed with each other even after “competing” against each other was the sweetest.

﹑ꕤ﹒୧  the relationship between the two characters that i wanted from the start (🤭)’s relationship was so cliche but again, a fun silly time. the inn scene was SOOO hot 🫦

⤹ ( the plot ) — this was definitely my favorite part of the book. i was so intrigued by the queen’s trials, what the 5 other girl were going through, and especially lydia. i’m so curious what happened to her and what’s going to happen to her in the next book after the plot twist at the end. i kid you not, i finished this book in a day because i was so invested in what was going to happen next.

୭౿ ！🗝️ overall, please read this if you want a fun and cute time!! mostly everything is extremely predictable, but if you’re able to overlook that, definitely give it a try 🫶🏻.

⌇💐⁺ finally, i want to give a huge shout-out to my best friend, yoanna for reading this with me 🩷. i had the best and most wonderful time <3

⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹

☆ ── preread ⊹
i've been wanting to read this one for a while because of all the glowing reviews! so happy to be reading this with my best angel, yoanna 💗 this buddy read is so long overdue 🤞🏻


⌗ fall book #7.

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

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[fadheela ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

ˋ°•*⁀➷・❥・𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀・❥・ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

⤿🌹 21/04/25
3.5 stars, rtc. Sasha, please give me the second book now, I don't think I can do with that cliffhanger ending! 😭✋🏻 THE LAST FEW CHPS LEFT ME SPIRALING & CONFUSED.

⤿🌹 16/04/25
I heard this gives the cruel prince vibes, and I'M HERE for it!😍💖 please pull me out of this slumpy hole that my last read put me in 😭🙏🏻

[lena ⊹˚.⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

˖ ⁺ ౿ 💐┆ 4.5 stars ִ 𖤐.ᐟ
➵ this review contains NO spoilers.

ivy benton, i am obsessed with you. it’s going to kill me.

i went into this book with zero expectations (or very slim ones) because to be honest, over the past few months i have not found a single fantasy book i’ve enjoyed. they’ve all blurred into one with the same, settings, tropes, love interests & plot twists. so when i saw my favourite book creators raving about how good this book was and that it had elements of the selection and bridgerton i knew i had to pick it up 🤭

i’ve never actually read the selection (apart from maybe book one when i was ten) but i’ve always loved and gravitated towards the unorthodox premise of a prince setting up a sort of “competition” to find his future bride. and since this is set in victorian london - which is my absolute treasured ideal setting in a fantasy book, i knew i was gonna ADORE THIS and on top of that, bridgerton is my absolute favourite show of all time (benedict girlie 🤞🏻) and since the book had elements of the show in it, i think i enjoyed it even more than i anticipated.

can we also take a moment to talk about the absolute immaculate cover? i’m so glad this book didn’t have the typical fantasy romance book cover with an illegible font and an unnecessary sword photoshopped on it.

jumping straight into the action, i was immediately hooked, we get introduced to our female main character Ivy Benton whilst she is trying to figure out the daunting mystery of the disappearance (and reappearance!!!) of her older sister.
this book was VERY action packed. i was not bored even once during the book as every single page would just be either a crazy plot twist or one of the “trials” set up by the Queen.

another remarkable thing about this book, was the pacing. i could see that the author had an editor and didn’t leave unnecessary scenes or any filler dialogue. in fantasy books, especially in fantasy duologies, there has been an undeniable wave of info dumping. like no, unfortunately i do not care what your mother purchased at the market in the year 1209.
this book had very great spaced out information and i loved how the chapters were only 5-10 pages long!


after the unfortunate rise of the powerless, reckless and fearless series (+ the unnecessary novellas) the whole “trial” aspect blew up. the poor female main character signs up to a deadly competition with little to no training and wins, facing off the dark, brooding, charming, sarcastic, “shadow daddy” MMC (can you tell i hate 99% of fantasy these day) NEVERTHELESS. i still attempted to read this, because well, the trials were set to be “different” than the usual ones. i’m so glad i did! instead of battle scenes, assassination attempts and just hunger games replicas- this was so different, but obviously in a good way. the “trials” were less high stakes than usual, and i found myself to be enjoying this book more than any other series ive read with the “trial” element in it. the bargaining plot point was also very original and intriguing!!

the key to a fantasy story being as realistic and enjoyable as possible, is the diversity and representation weaved in the pages. recent fantasy series/books barely have any representation, or they severely lack it. in fourth wing and powerless there is only one person of colour. in quicksilver, there is none. in ACOTAR, the author tried to incorporate a queer character, but failed terribly. what sets the rose bargain apart from any “mainstream” fantasy books i’ve read- is the intentional and deep connection to make the characters as real as possible. three out of the six of the main characters are either a person of colour or queer, or both. Emmy, Marion and Faith are perfect examples that if you would actually care to diversify your characters, you would. good job Sasha.

the relationship between Ivy and Emmett was honestly a tiiiiinnnyyyy bit too cliche for my liking. i mean i love when she falls for the man she shouldn’t be falling for (forbidden romance will always be top tier)- but this felt like too much of what i’ve read before. hopefully in the next book the romance and their love will bloom and i’ll finally be pleased (one thing i loved though was the “teaching-you-to-kiss-trope” it got me giggling too many times 🤭)


i will unfortunately not be able to talk about my favourite couple in this book (🥹) because well, spoilers. but just know the memory scene made me sob and this book gained a star because of them. I LOVEYURI!!!!!!!


⟡ ivy benton - i unexpectedly loved her much more than i thought i would. her story was very interesting and i loved how strong and resilient she was!!! can’t wait to learn more about her in the next book.


⟡ prince emmett - yes i need me a hot sexy man who yearns for me and teaches me how to kiss, dance and how to seduce another man🤭🤭🤭🤭


⟡ prince bram - it’s the thing about blonde men that will always make me suspicious about them. i knew he was fishy from the start. hopefully we get more understanding on why he did what he had to do at the end.

overall, this was a fantastic read. i loved all the characters and their love interests + how delicate and purposeful the prose was. would definitely recommend!!!!!

[Belle₊˚⊹♡ (for keeps ∞♡) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars! 🌟🌟🌟🌟

(Spoiler-free🐵🩷🩷🧡)

જ⁀➴"𝙄 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙨𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙖𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪."
"𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙨𝙠. 𝙄'𝙢 𝙖𝙡𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨"

𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧🌹🩰🌸💐💘

If I could rate the first 50% of the book I’d give it a 3 star rating, but the last 50% had me in a CHOKEHOLD and I COULD NOT put it down for the life of me-😭

Despite how absolutely predictable the plot was,
I ATE IT UPPP. 👏🏼💥

I also wasn’t superrrrnconnected to the fmc Ivy, though I’m very intrigued with how this story is going?
Especially with that ending???👀 like where is the second book?! 😔💔🥀

While this read was definitely a slow pace and took some time to get my attention, once the 50% mark hit I was slowly being lured into the book and the plot was just plotting (if that makes sense-)

(we also got the one-bed trope in this and that was all you needed to get my attention 💀)

In other words..when the banter was bantering and the YEARNING started to come into play I was SAT. 🏃‍♀️

Tho I do have to say.. the love triangle and forbidden romance kept giving me Fearless vibes 😓💔
(idk if you can tell but I’m still not fully recovered from Fearless loll💀)

Despite the little flaws this book had, the romance and the TENSION was definitely there, which had me GIGGLINGGG and had me on the edge of my seat! 🤭💝💝

"𝙄 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣'𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙢𝙚,"
"𝙇𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪?
“𝙄𝙫𝙮 𝘽𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙤𝙣, 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙤𝙗𝙨𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙄𝙩'𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙢𝙚.”

ONE OF THE QUOTES THAT HAD ME FOLDED🙂‍↕️- 😭⬆️

If a second book were to come out
I would DEFINITELY get it IMMEDIATELY 💥💵💳
I highly recommend this book for an easy YA romantasy 🥰🎀


🌟Rating: 4/5
🔥spice: 0.5/5 (minor descriptions🙈)
💘age rating~15+

_________________
🎧Songs:

~Ivy~Taylor Swift (OFC 🙂‍↕️🔥)

~Haunted~Taylor Swift

~Exile~Taylor Swift, Bon Iver

~Guilty as sin?~Taylor Swift

~I Hate It Here~Taylor Swift

~Who’s Afraid Of Little Old Me~Taylor Swift

~I Can See You~Taylor Swift

~Labyrinth~Taylor Swift

~The cut that always bleeds~Conan Gray

~Yours~Conan Gray

~Would that I~Hozier





(QUOTE SPOILERS) ⬇️⬇️⬇️









💌Favorite Quotes;

જ⁀➴"𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚?"
"𝘽𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙄’𝙢 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙣."
"𝙒𝙝𝙮'𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠?"
"𝘽𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙮 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮."

(⬆️WE LOVE THE YEARNING MENN🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️)

જ⁀➴"𝙄’𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙄 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙤𝙣 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙢, 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙄 𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙞𝙣 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙙, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙄 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪,"
(⬆️BYE IM SO DOWN BAD FOR EMMET 😭)

જ⁀➴"𝙄 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙚."
"𝘿𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙨𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩," 𝙄 𝙢𝙪𝙧𝙢𝙪𝙧.
"𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙢𝙚. 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙩 𝙖 𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙡."
"𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪."
(OH TO BE SEEN🏃‍♀️)

જ⁀➴‘𝙄𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚, 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙪𝙨, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙣𝙚.
𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙣'𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙙.
𝙆𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪.
𝙆𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙮 𝙄 𝙖𝙢.
𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄'𝙢 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙣.’
(What’s up with me picking up all the tragic romance books 💀🔫)

_______________________

🤍💛💚Preread:

My expectations aren’t too high for this book, but I haven’t read a romantasy in a while!! 😩😭 But the cover for this book is GORGEOUS! 😻🫶🏼🌺🌹
I really hope I get through this fast! 🤞

[⋆˚୨ৎ˚⋆ Kim ⋆˚୨ৎ˚⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will be Bram's or I will be no one's.
And now the only thing I can do is live with it.

⊹ ࣪ ˖ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ₊ ⊹⊹ ࣪ ˖ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ₊ ⊹⊹ ࣪ ˖ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ₊ ⊹⊹ ࣪ ˖ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ₊ ⊹⊹ ࣪ ˖ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ₊ ⊹⊹ ࣪ ˖ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ₊ ⊹⊹ ࣪ ˖ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ₊ ⊹⊹ ࣪ ˖ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ₊ ⊹⊹ ࣪ ˖ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ₊ ⊹

What kind of crack did Sasha Peyton Smith lace through the pages of The Rose Bargain? I can't believe I have to wait at least another year for the sequel to come. I need more. This was so addicting to read and I probably would've finished this sooner if I didn't have a full-time job.

If you want something to convince you to read this, I would say this book is definitely what it's marketed as: Folk of the Air trilogy meets Bridgerton, but also with a touch of The Selection. It takes place in 1848 Regency London but in a slightly alternate universe where a fae queen, Queen Mor, rules over England. The story follows Ivy Benton as she enters English society. All new ladies coming out in the new season get to make a bargain with Queen Mor to up their chances of finding a suitor, courting them, and getting married. However, the bargains don't come for free and usually come at the cost of things such as a lost finger, tooth, or no longer being able to dream. However, things are different this year, as Queen Mor's fae son Prince Bram is looking for a wife. Anyone who wishes to participate must compete for his hand, and anyone who doesn't or isn't chosen by Bram must never marry anyone else. Ivy, determined to restore her family's name and place in society, enters the competition for Bram's hand. She starts getting tips and lessons from Prince Emmett, Bram's human brother, to get to know Bram better, but what if something more develops?

This was a very fast and easy read! I liked the relationship between Ivy and the 5 other girls she was competing with, not to mention the cast of girls was diverse; Emmy Ito is Japanese, Marion Thorne's family is from Ghana, and there's LGBTQIA+ rep with Marion and Faith Fairchild (Faith is bisexual and Marion is lesbian). It started off very catty and snarky among them all since they were each other's competition, but as the plot continues and turns into something much darker than etiquette lessons and balls and outings, they band together and support each other to get themselves through the season and I loved how their loyalty and friendships with each other grew. I also thought Ivy's relationship with her sister, Lydia, was also interesting and I wish we got more of it throughout the story. Lydia is the reason why their family's name was stained since she made a bargain at her own coming out season 2 years prior but doesn't remember what she wanted. Ivy wants to find out what it is and undo it so her family isn't outcasted anymore.

The only two things I took a star off for were the love triangle and the random POVs of the other characters throughout the story. I didn't mind the love triangle--I usually hate them--but I felt there was no buildup to either ship at all. It wasn't until the end when I started rooting for one specific ship to become endgame and I feel like that's way too late into the story. I think Sasha Peyton Smith was trying to make the relationships ambiguous so you couldn't tell who Ivy wants, but some slow burn, angst, and tension would've been perfect in this book and I felt that was lacking.

As for the random POVs, we get to hear from the other girls in the competition, why they entered, what they bargained for, and what they really want. I thought it was cool and a nice touch to read about Ivy's friends and their thoughts on everything, but they all felt sort of randomly placed throughout the story to the point where it almost didn't make sense to even include them. I felt like there were two options: include ALL of the girls' POVs throughout the story (beyond just a chapter for each of them, anyway) as the plot progresses, or just keep Ivy as the sole narrator since she is the main character. We also get to hear from Lydia and Prince Emmett (and if you have the Barnes & Noble exclusive edition, there's an extra chapter from Emmett's POV at the end!). I think some more chapters from Emmett's POV would've been nice so I hope we get some of his POV in the next book. The banter between Emmett and Ivy as he essentially becomes her wingman? Absolutely hilarious. The scene where Emmett tries to teach Ivy how to flirt is comedy gold. ("We're doomed." ~Emmett de Vere)

(And can we talk about that ending for a second?! Like, WHAT WAS THAT?! That plot twist was better than some of the plot twists I've recently read in the THRILLERS I've finished and reviewed. I'll admit I didn't see that coming. Color me impressed.)

Overall, I LOVED The Rose Bargain and I think it's currently sitting at the top for my favorite read of February 2025. I'll be impatiently waiting for the sequel to come and look forward to reading more from Sasha Peyton Smith in the future!

4 stars

⊹ ࣪ ˖ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ₊ ⊹⊹ ࣪ ˖ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ₊ ⊹⊹ ࣪ ˖ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ₊ ⊹⊹ ࣪ ˖ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ₊ ⊹⊹ ࣪ ˖ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ₊ ⊹⊹ ࣪ ˖ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ₊ ⊹⊹ ࣪ ˖ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ₊ ⊹⊹ ࣪ ˖ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ₊ ⊹⊹ ࣪ ˖ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ₊ ⊹
Disclaimer: The trigger warnings below may contain minor spoilers for the story. I ALWAYS include trigger warnings in my reviews because I feel like that's quite literally the bare minimum I should do when writing a review to make everyone aware of what they're getting into when starting a book. PLEASE protect your peace and mental health above all else; do what's best for you if there's something in a book that might make you uncomfortable.🤍 I've left a significantly large, intentional gap between this message and the trigger warnings so that if anyone wishes to know what they are to scroll a bit more.























Trigger warnings: memory loss, death of a loved one, bodily injuries, suspicions of/implied suicide, mentions of blood, self-harm for sacrificial purposes, murder

𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: Starting another one of my 2025 most anticipated books! I'm so excited to read this. Also, if you were wondering why the cover is white and not pink, it's because I got the Barnes & Noble exclusive edition. It's SUPER pretty; there's an alternate cover and the case design is a bunch of gold roses and the endpapers are a painting of roses🤍✨🌹If you want to see what it looks like, you can see it here!

[évieane · Rating 3 out of 5]

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ㅤ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . 3.5 -3.7 ☆ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ˋ°•*⁀➷ㅤmight contain spoilers ❗

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ I’ve been staring at this page for far too long, trying to untangle what exactly I feel about this book. It didn’t leave me stunned silent the way some books do, but rather in this odd, conflicted space: part entertained, part underwhelmed, and part quietly wishing it had lived up to its own premise a little better. I cannot say this was a bad or a very good book, but more like a strange.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ Even so, messy thoughts are still thoughts, so here they are — maybe they’ll help if you’re on the fence about picking it up.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ “Sometimes I feel like one day every other girl was given instructions on how to grow up, and I missed the lesson.”


ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ short summary
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ "The Rose Bargain" by Sasha Peyton Smith is a Regency‑era fantastical romp where debutante Ivy Benton enters London’s ton—with a dark fae twist. Each young woman bargains something precious to the immortal Fae Queen for talents to survive society… and Ivy’s chance to marry Prince Bram might undo her sister’s tragic deal.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ The setting is gorgeously atmospheric—Kensington palaces, ribbons and rose‑lit balls—with a delightfully regal vibe. But fantasy-wise? Not so much. The fae bargain system is the only magical flavor; there’s no grand supernatural spectacle—just hush‑hush enchantments and whispered deals.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ And the romance? Instant sparks fly… but fast. That insta‑love feeling between Ivy and either Bram or Emmett slides in a bit too quickly, making the emotional payoff feel rushed. Still, the social intrigue and cast of rivals make this a charmingly addictive read—just don’t expect epic magic or a slow‑burn heart‑melt.


ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ honest thoughts
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⋅ ☾ ㅤ‍‍‍‍‍‍The prose isn’t overly ornate — more direct than lush — but it serves the story well enough, especially in moments that call for tension or urgency. Plot-wise, it’s built around the romance and the stakes of the competition, with fewer grand revelations than I expected, but enough hidden truths to keep curiosity alive. It’s the kind of book where the concept does most of the work, and while the execution sometimes stumbles, the bones of the story remain interesting.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⋅ ☾ The pacing was a bit strange, with chapters that sometimes dragged over details that didn’t fully matter, and then moments that rushed by so quickly I had to reread. Oddly enough, it still worked — the shifts between slow, simmering ballroom scenes and sharper, darker moments of danger kept me invested, even if it wasn’t perfectly balanced.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ However, the lack of the "fantasy element" was quite jarring. This is definitely a romance set in a somehow fantasy world; but definitely does not feel like a romantasy or a fantasy romance.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⋅ ☾ What surprised me most was how much I enjoyed the POV chapters dedicated to the other girls in the competition. The author didn’t quite do them justice in terms of deep character arcs, but seeing inside their heads — their fears, strategies, and quiet rivalries — added life and texture to the story. It made the world feel less like “main couple plus background extras” and more like a living, competitive sphere full of girls fighting to survive and win.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⋅ ☾ Not every book has to be a slow-burn, and honestly? In this case, the rather quickly developing romance actually worked for me. It felt a bit sudden in places (maybe even forced here and there), but in the context of the competition, secrets, and Regency-inspired tension, it made enough sense to not fully break immersion. I won’t pretend it was the deepest, slowest build of tension ever — but it had this “inexperienced FMC × playboy MMC” vibe that weirdly clicked, reminding me a lot of Bridgerton. So yes, maybe it felt like a reach at times… but I still had fun. And sometimes that’s all a story really needs to do.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⋅ ☾ And then there’s the ending. I found it rushed and slightly underdeveloped and this is probably what made me lower the rating for this book the most; like the story tried to tie every thread all at once, but ended up turning quiet tension into sudden melodrama. Everything felt exaggerated in a way that made it seem almost unbelievable and — honestly — a bit of a reach. It didn’t ruin the whole book, but it left me wishing the final pages had taken a breath before sprinting to the finish.


ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ characters
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ This book, sadly, failed a bit in making me get too attached to its characters, and this is probably why I also don't really have a lot of things to mention about them. There isn't really any great character development to talk about; therefore, this part will be left slightly short.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ✧ Ivy - Our main character. She’s both sharp and unsure, determined yet clearly out of her depth at times. I liked her better when she actively challenged the world around her rather than passively reacting to it, but her genuine heart and stubborn courage kept me rooting for her even when her choices frustrated me.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ✧ Emmett - The charming, playful love interest whose reputation precedes him. He had his moments: some felt genuinely warm and layered, while others leaned hard into cliché. Still, the trope worked well enough, and I appreciated the brief glimpses of vulnerability under the flirtatious mask. I might have wished for a bit more for his character and maybe some depth added to his entire personality, but who am I to complain?

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ✧ Bram - I knew something was "intriguing" from the start. And yes, I’m glad I trusted my instincts here. His secrets added an interesting edge to the story, though I still feel the reveal could have been handled with a touch more nuance.

ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ✧ The girls - Honestly, some of the best parts of the book came from their POVs. We didn’t get enough of them to fully flesh out who they were, but even those glimpses made them feel real: rivals, allies, and scared girls all tangled in the same dangerous game.


ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ should you read this?
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ If you enjoy regency-inspired settings with secret bargains, quick romance that doesn’t pretend to be the slowest burn ever, and a competition full of hidden claws — then yes, it’s worth a try.
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ Just don’t expect rich, lyrical prose or flawless worldbuilding. Go in ready for a story that sometimes leans into trope over depth, sometimes fumbles the landing — but still manages to entertain along the way.





⊹₊┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ✿ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈₊⊹
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ᯓ ✿ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ‍‍‍‍‍‍pre-reading ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⪼ ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ started ┆28-June-2025┆
ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ㅤ ‍‍‍‍‍‍ ⤿ Please be just the sweet little book I need right now to get me out of this tormenting book hangover 🙏🏻 also, the cover to this is simply so pretty!!

[JustJJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blog | Instagram

Rating: 3.5 stars

‘The Rose Bargain’ was an entertaining read, but I wished for a grittier take on the storyline and less romantic angst.

Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

The story has a strong start with the introduction of the main character, Ivy, and the alternate historical London setting. Tension then quickly rises as the competition to win the heart of the Queen’s son unfolds, starting with a brutal contest that sets the tone for what could be a dark and thrilling tale. However, despite a few betrayals and painful challenges, the focus of the narrative on the budding friendships and romance caused the story to lose momentum midway. It was only towards the end that the story picked up again with surprising reveals that left me curious about the next book, especially after that cliffhanger!

"I like her so much more when she's not around."

Ivy is a caring and likeable main character, though her naïveté and relatively simple character arc keep the story firmly in the Young Adult (YA) territory. Her competitors had potential, especially with the glimpses into their motives and backstories, but they ultimately didn't leave a lasting impression due to their limited roles. The princes, Emmett and Bram, were the standout secondary characters to me, as their dynamic with Ivy was a central part of the storyline.

"the thing about love is that you don't realise you're in it until it's too late."

I cringed at the love triangle that emerged. While the romantic angst and historical setting will appeal to fans of Bridgerton, it wasn't my cup of tea and got surprisingly spicy for YA. The main romance involves a predictable and rushed enemies-to-lovers cliché, but I still enjoyed the banter and cute interactions between the characters. In contrast, I was not unconvinced by the secondary romance, as the characters had very little chemistry. I was far more taken by the worldbuilding in this book, with its fresh take on fae bargains and the glimpse we get of the fae realm. The audiobook narration by Emily Mount, James Meunier, and Shiromi Arserio enhanced the listening experience, though their delivery occasionally felt inconsistent.


You can also find more of my thoughts and discussion questions on my blog!

[Kezia Duah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

I haven’t read The Selection or The Cruel Prince in ages, so I can’t confidently speak to how similar this book is to them. The description mentions that it has elements of both, and from what little I remember, I can definitely see some of those influences.

I really liked how it started—there were questions right from the beginning, which kept me hooked until the end because I needed to see how everything unfolded. As the story progressed, the stakes kept rising. It became clear that this wasn’t just about a prince choosing a bride; it was a much bigger story about overthrowing tyranny and so on. It was a fun, interesting ride—not the most original story, but also not entirely predictable—about 50/50. The twists at the end were definitely enjoyable!

I loved the worldbuilding!! All the locations were real places in England and beyond, and the mix of real-world settings with a magical land helped keep my interest. I don’t see this done often, so I loved it!

The characters were okay—no one stood out to me in particular. However, I did like that almost everyone got a POV here and there, though most of it focused on Ivy. The romance didn’t completely pull me in—it was cute, but nothing that fully immersed me the way I prefer. On the other hand, I really enjoyed the friendships that developed between the girls, and their POVs made their intentions and dynamics feel even more meaningful.

Overall, I’m glad I picked this up! It was fun watching everything unfold, and after that ending, I’ll definitely be picking up the next book!

[Clara &#x1065a; free &#x1f1f5;&#x1f1f8; (studying) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.50

🦢

I truly loved this book. The setting in beautiful Victorian-era England combined with the fae elements created a magical atmosphere I adored from start to finish. 🎻

I really enjoyed reading the points of view of all the girls competing to marry the prince. It gave the story more depth and helped me understand their personalities better. The competitions between them—cruel, orchestrated by a fae—were intense and gripping, but I also deeply appreciated the solidarity and sisterhood that developed among the girls.🎀

I loved every single moment of this book. Literally, every moment. I completely fell for Emmet and Ivy – the bickering, the teasing… everything. Especially the one bed scene at the inn – iconic. 💘🧎🏻‍♀️

The mystery aspect surrounding Ivy’s missing sister was also really well done. The flashbacks were emotional and powerful, and while I had my suspicions, I didn’t truly expect what happened. It was shocking and impactful. 🪷

Bram… what an incredible and unexpected character. I’ll stop there – no spoilers – but wow. And Queen Mor is a total diva. 💋

A beautiful, unforgettable book. Highly recommended. 💕

────୨ৎ────

i want book 2 NOW
i really really enjoyed it!
rtc

⁺˚*･༓☾

pre-read

i think i’m going to start this, even tho you guys voted out on a limb 🫣 i’m more in the mood for it honestly… 🥰

[Hallie (thecommonroomshop) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story will reawaken the younger version of you that believed in fairies and have her kicking her feet and twirling around with a heart full of magic & wonder!!!!!🩰🫧🧚‍♀️🍃 This truly is The Cruel Prince x The Selection (and I would add x Bridgerton x The Infernal Devices)

If the ethereal vibes are what pulled me in, then the political fantasy, strong female relationships and soul-obliterating YEARNING is what had me locked in from the first to the last page.

There were SO many moments where I had to set the book down and blink at the wall in awe. There were quotes that hit me straight to my soul, friendship dynamics that were better than I ever could have dreamed and the ROMANCE!!!!!!!!! THE ROMANCE FELT LIKE LISTENING TO A LOVE SONG WRITTEN BY TAYLOR SWIFT FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.

Ivy Benton…..you are the youngest daughter representation I have always craved. A soul girl forever.

If you like the following niche fangirlisms then you will ADORE this book:
-will herondale
-the triwizard tournament hedge maze
-everything about amy march
-barbie movies (and their soundtracks)
-BRIDGERTON ANGST
-jane and elizabeth bennett
-daydreaming about crossing the wardrobe into narnia
-victorian london

INFINITY STARS!!! THIS IS A SOUL STORY / CHARACTER / MOMENT♾️💗✨♾️💗✨

[jenny reads a lot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick read, I finished it in a single sitting!

That ending!? STFU and give me the next book right MEOW!

For once I agree wholeheartedly with the title comps…

This has some of the beloved elements from many of our favs, The Selection (a competition to marry the prince), Cruel Prince (political scheming, plots, and trickster fae), Bridgerton (regency era London).

This was an excellent YA fantasy romance!

What’s to love…
- Faeries/Fae of the folklore variety
- (slight) Love triangle
- political scheming
- reimagined regency era London
- THE TWISTS, THE PLOT REVEALS!?
- cruel competition to marry the prince
- FMC that will do anything to protect her family
- themes of friendship and family
- I HATE trials, why did I pick this book?! knowing there are trials?! idk I’m not perfect... BUT I totally didn’t mind the trials in this one! They don’t drag on and fit the theme of the book and the nasty Queen perfectly!

What’s not to love…
- personally I thought the pacing was just a hair off, but I’m fairly certain that’s more of a me problem. It felt like it dragged a bit and then the ending was SO intense! That said please recall that I finished this in one sitting!

A note to mature readers…
- This is a YA book, and while I absolutely had a blast reading it I think it might not be quite as fun for adult readers who are borderline fans of YA literature. The romance + the actions of this book fit the age and maturity level of the MCs (18). I will say that this book does NOT suffer from the dreaded over explanation that is sometimes found in YA literature.

🌶️ - This is YA, so there is no explicit content. There is however one scene where non-explicit love-making happens (Ch 29). Publisher website rates this ages 13+. I’d let my mature middle school niece read this.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

4.5⭐️ | IG | TikTok |

[Aanz ᝰ.ᐟ [ HIATUS] · Rating 5 out of 5]

જ⁀➴ ♾️ 🌟

⟢ ❝𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐦, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐝, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐈 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮❞

﹒⭒﹒⭒﹒⭒﹒ ﹒⭒﹒⭒﹒⭒﹒ ﹒⭒﹒⭒﹒⭒﹒ ﹒⭒﹒⭒﹒⭒﹒ ﹒⭒﹒⭒﹒⭒﹒

₊˚꒰🩰 ꒱‧ 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜 ‧₊ ᵎᵎ 🪞

This book is so good I’m actually GONNA EXPLODE!!!! ( I’m trying to use less capital letters to maintain the aesthetic) Definitely gonna be in my top five fantasy reads this year.It is basically a mixture of The Selection, The Cruel Prince , Powerless and OUABH , and yes Ik that sounds like the author has combined all the famous booktok books but it is actually written so beautifully!! The concept of this book is just so good.The vibes were definitely like the selection ( except it was much better) The love triangle was also great , because I was rooting for both the male leads until the last few chapters. AND THE FAMOUS ONE BED SCENE OH.MY.GOD. Unarguable my FAV scene of this book brb on my way to re read it for the fifth time Some of the characters have their personality copied from someone from other book , like Bram is Kitt, all the girls have copy paste personality from The Selection.ANDDD EMMETT IS MY NEW BOOK BOYFRIEND!!! .AND THE PLOT TWIST!??? That’s one of the best plot twist I’ve read in Fantasy book!! The author was throwing all the plot twist at once and when the book was finished I was staring at the ceiling BECAUSE IT WAS A LOT TO PROCESS. The that cliffhanger ending???? WE DESERVED ONE MROE CHAPTER!? The writing style was captivating. The world building resembled The Cruel Prince. BUT it is not plagiarised like Powerless DONT EVEN COMPARE THIS MASTERPIECE TO THAT SHIT. So in a nutshell , GO READ THIS BOOK ITS LIFE CHANGING!!! This Book is literally my EVERYTHING!!! I cant wait for 14 April !!

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.

˖ ࣪ ꒰ . 𝙸𝚟𝚢 𝙱𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚘𝚗 . ꒱ ⊹🪞🦢⋆

I LOVE HER!!! I love Ivy Benton because she’s not depicted as perfect and that’s exactly what makes her unforgettable. She’s described as a person with average looks ( but she’s literally the most gorgeous women) and the kind that blends in the crowd. Despite all these, she makes her way because of her cleverness ( yes that’s some deep analytical shit don’t blame me it’s 12 am) Her love for her sister and Greer is SO GENUINE. She’s literally so selfless and her love is so genuine. It was freshening to see a PURE sister bond because in most of the book sisters are like the most pathetic creatures on earthLoved seeing her with both Emmet and Bram , I can see why they love her. Literally love the part where Emmett taught her how to flirt AND THAT ONE BED SCENE😩😫 Adding her to my top 5 FMC🤭

⟢ ❝ 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮? 𝐈𝐯𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐧, 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐞 ❞

˖ ࣪ ꒰ . 𝙴𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚝 𝙳𝚎 𝚅𝚎𝚛𝚎 . ꒱ ⊹ 🪞🦢⋆

MY MAN MY MAN MY MAN MY MAN🙇🏻‍♀️🛐 As I said , this love triangle was done so good that I was rooting for both male leads BUT I was a little biased towards Emmett because most of edit shows Louis Patridge as Emmett and now I can’t unsee it ( If you don’t know , Louis is my husband) He has a personality like Julian and Cardan. He’s not your typical fantasy love interest with grand gestures , he’s more of a slow, simmering kind of presence. He’s funny , he’s the one who remains in his brother’s shadow , the one he is rarely seen at events and is busy somwhere drinking alcohol. Just like Ivy , he loves his brother ALOT and blamed himself and distanced himself from Ivy for BramAnd his backstory? It’s literally SO sad 😭 He literally deserves EVERYTHING and he was done wrong.

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.

જ⁀➴ ∶ 🪞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝!!! ‼️

⟢ ❝ 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞, 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐚 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞.𝐈𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞, 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐮𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞.𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝.𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮. ❞

˖ ࣪ ꒰ . 𝙱𝚛𝚊𝚖 . ꒱ ⊹ 🪞🦢⋆
So I loved him in the beginning . His and Ivy’s Convo was ACTUALLY SO CUTE!! And I did NOT expect that plot twist AT ALL💀 Yes he was extra sweet but turns out he’s actually a mastermind. You’ll think I’m mad for this but Here’s an unpopular opinion: He’s kinda cute and I’d like to see what will he do. I loved him as a farie , and that gave me flashbacks to The cruel prince. IM ACTUALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT BOOK TO SEE WHAT HE’LL DO!! Yes I hate him for separating Emmett and Ivy and for betraying his brother and his mother. But still !!!! If he turns out to be Kitt from fearless in the end and is actually innocent that’s gonna be sooo good!


˖ ࣪ ꒰ . 𝙾𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚎𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜 . ꒱ ⊹🪞🦢⋆
Honestly I didn’t like Lydia. Yes I know it’s not her fault BUT STILL girl could you not recognise the loyl and stop your sister from making a bad decision!?? So yes I fucking hate her. And Greer MY SHAYLA😭 I really hope she turns alive next book or something because she was my second fav girl. She was really a great best friend and deserves a better family.I hate her mother. And then Faith , tbh I HATED her at first but then I got to know and I was like she’s ain’t that bad she’s actually good! I couldn’t tell you how much I LOATHED The Queen !!! And when she tried to trick Ivy into thinking she didn’t won I WAS SO MAD AT HER! And when she told her she actually won , I still don’t believe her. But I gotta say those eliminating task were so fun. She didn’t deserve the betrayal by Bram.


🪞˖ ‹ 𝙿𝚕𝚘𝚝 𝚃𝚠𝚒𝚜𝚝 🩰𖥔 ࣪ ᥫ᭡
If you’d tell that plot twist in he beginning of the book , I would’ve called you mad , BECAUSE THAT WAS SO UNPREDICTABLE!? I’m still in shock. And when Ivy made her bargain and wished to forget Emmet AND THAT LETTER OML😭 When she said her eyes wandered to Emmett that reminded me of OUABH. But I’m relieved that the bargains were broken.Really feeling bad for Emmmet he lost his father , was betrayed by his brother and about to loose Ivy ALL IN ONE DAY 😭. Emmett’s father’s death was SO sad , all he did was for nothing?😭 I can never forgive Sasha Peyton for giving so much trauma to this guy. Really hope Ivy finds some way and they end up together ( if they don’t idk what I’m gonna do with my life)

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.


⟢ ❝𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞. 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥

₊˚꒰🩰 ꒱‧ 𝙵𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝚅𝚎𝚛𝚍𝚒𝚌𝚝 ‧₊ ᵎᵎ 🪞
I’m in LOVE with this book , this is IT. If you haven’t read it YOU SHOULD STOP WHAT YOU ARE READING AND PICK UP THIS BOOK BC THIS IS SO GOOD!!! This is criminally underrated BECAUSE HOW COME HERE ISNT SO MANY FANARTS!??? If you’re an artist then YOU REALLY NEED TO READ AND LOVE THIS BOOK because I REALLY want to see the fanarts. I can literally see this book being popular in booktok and I cannot wait for people to discover this book.





──★ ˙🍒 !! Pre read .🪩 I’ve seen a lot of this book and the cover !? ITS GORGEOUS😩 I was suppose to br this but I’m taking revenge from my friend My friend Pihu for betraying me and then manipulating me into br Ihtdfy and completing before I can even add it to my cr💔

[Lottie Smalley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loveeeed this!!!! this was just so addictive & FUN to read, I could not put it down. the premise is basically the summer i turned pretty x the bachelor x bridgerton x the buccaneers with a fae twist, set in high society victorian london 🩰🧚‍♀️🫖 it’s got everything: sisterhood, love triangle, female friendship, and a twisty competition.

one thing I really appreciated was the occasional alternate povs! it gave depth to hear directly from all the girls competing and made me feel connected to them in different ways 🫶 the chemistry between the love interests did feel a little rushed (but never forced), and honestly I ate up their banter and definitely understood their spark! plus the forbidden pining and yearning just made it all the more delicious!!! 🤫

this is one of those books where I wouldn’t call it *objectively five stars everyone must read* but it was 100% five stars FOR ME! ⭐️🤌 I was never bored, I had the best time, and I seriously can’t wait for book two!!!

[niyya نية · Rating 5 out of 5]

̨ ╭╯ꗃ 07. 12. 25 ˚﹒

┆ "Have you ever been in love?”
He nods slowly, like it pains him. “Just once.”
“What did it feel like?”
“Like getting run over by a carriage."┆

︵࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ thoughts

╰› GET. OUT. This might be my most favorite romantasy I’ve read this year?? I literally can’t stop thinking about it and each time I do, I do a little scream on the inside. I am very well on my way to inking every word of this book into my veins 💗

Best believe I will now be doing backflips off my wall until the next book gets released because that ending kept me wide awake in the middle of the night.

Spoilers are marked!


︵࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ spice level

╰› 2/5


︵࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ plot/writing

╰› In most cases, when people say “this book is like ____”, it shows the rise of dishonesty 🙂

But they were NOT lying when they said this was The Cruel Prince X The Selection.

I really enjoyed The Selection series when I was twelve, so even though my opinion on it has changed, it made the child in me so happy to see something similar. But the difference I loved was that Bram wasn’t basically courting twenty-four girls at the same time like Maxon, and it was broken down into six girls from the start so he’s not lowkey a manwhore. and I love HOW it was broken down into six, Queen Mor’s instant elimination idea and trick was so good.


And of course, The Cruel Prince series. In general, I LOVE fae books like I’m always so invested and intrigued by faeries and their world. It’s so much fun reading about it all. But if you don’t know me, just know that that series has my whole heart and I’m so helplessly obsessed with it, so I was extremely excited to get my hands on this. The fae aspect of this book did not disappoint at ALL 🤭

Seeing a mix of those two in this was so fun, and the plot was so well-written, I read it all in one sitting in the middle of the night because I actually couldn’t put it down. Every time I closed the book and tried to go to sleep, my mind would keep RUNNING because I couldn’t stop thinking about what was going to happen next, so I’d say “thirty more minutes…” and read again. (I read for “thirty more minutes” eight times)

︵࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ characters

┆"My breath catches in my throat. I want him to lean in, pull me closer, do anything other than stare at me like he knows he can undo me.”┆

╰› Ivy– I love Ivy 🥹 she’s so selfless like she didn’t even try backing out of Emmett’s plan ONCE even after she began developing feelings for him, and she cares about her family so much, she’s doing everything she can for them.

One thing I can relate to her is about her relationship with her sister. I genuinely love my older sister so much, she’s one of my favorite people in the world, and I’m so grateful to have her, and I hate to say it but sometimes in certain situations I would hate her for how perfect she is. It would make me see all my flaws much more clearly, and the comparison has been something I’ve been growing up with for as long as I can remember. But I also understand that my sister HAD to be perfect because you know, oldest daughter things, and I know that’s really difficult so I can never actually hate her. And I felt Ivy so much when she talked about being in Lydia’s shadow most of the time.

And she’s so silly 😭 her attempts at flirting IM CRYING



┆ “I’ve spent my whole life on my hands and knees, clamoring for crumbs of love. I don’t know if there will ever come a time I am not hungry for it.”┆

╰› Emmett– I WAS ROOTING FOR THIS MAN FROM PAGE. ONE. I AM SO DOWN BAD FOR HIM THANK YOU 🙏🏽 I did NOT get enough of him please feed me me more 💔

On a serious note, I love Emmett’s character so much. I related to him so much sometimes I literally just wanted to hug him 🙁 Just like Ivy, he’s so selfless and he has such a big heart. When he spoke about how all he’s wanted is love, GUYS. My heart BROKE. Give him a break please omg, him sacrificing Ivy just for the sake of everyone else, his relationship with his father, and THEN Bram betraying him even though he really did see him as his brother ☹️

He was the perfect amount of flirting, yearning, and love 🤭 my heart was racing at three am reading about him, his lines>>>>


┆“Hi, darling. I’ve missed you."┆

╰› Bram– okay during all of this I felt so bad because as much as I loved Emmett, Bram was so sweet and didn’t deserve this 😭 but I also had this NAGGING feeling in me throughout the book that he was TOO sweet so I found him very fishy and I was so right and I LOVED it. I wasn’t surprised about the plot twist regarding him, but boy did I enjoy it 😍


AAAAA BRAM’S FAERIE REP IT WAS TOO GOOD THE ENDING PLEASE I WAS SO APPALLINGLY GIDDY ABOUT IT his cruelness and villainy I LOVE IT IT WAS SO WELL DONE AND THE WAY HE WAS ACTING. NOW THIS IS THE KIND OF FAERIE I'M TALKING ABOUT.

I also wasn’t surprised about his connection to Lydia because there was just something suspicious about both of them but DAMN is he possessive 🙈

I hate him for what he did to Emmett and Ivy, and Lydia too, but I’m obsessed with his villain arc and character it’s just too good

┆“No husband. Oh boo-hoo. I’ll find some way to carry on.”┆

╰› The other girls– I loved that we got their own POVs during the book and each one of their stories were actually interesting to read about– it showed their different backgrounds, what they’ve wanted, and what they had to lose. And I really love how they all worked together instead of being against each other. True girlhood !!

Queen Mor– Again the fae repppp. Faeries are meant to be cruel and find delight in messing with humans, and she was exactly that and I was here for it. She made the book so much more interesting, it’s what mainly separates this and The Selection. I lowk felt so bad when she was tricked and betrayed by her son who she actually loved, and she actually gave Ivy the option to marry Emmett like shes honestly not that bad??

Lydia– girl RUN. Your life is in danger 🙏🏽 tbh don’t have much of an opinion on her because we didn’t get much of her except a couple of appearances and a POV, but babes 😞


︵࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ romance

╰› ┆“I’ll be in hell when I see you on his arm, when I picture you in his bed, but I will watch, and I will burn for the rest of my life if this is the only way I get to have you."┆

Guys I can’t, the romance was so good 😭 The way this man was YEARNING for her oh my GOD. AND IT PHYSICALLY PAINED HIM. HOIFWIHFEWHWHFWEH


THE INN SCENE GOODBYE THE TENSION BETWEEN THEM 🤭 ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS

And stop my heart actually dropped near the end when she asked Queen Mor to forget him like NO STOP WHAT ARE YOU DOING AND THEN WHEN THEY SPOKE AFTERWARDS AND SHE DIDN’T REMEMBER HIM. I WAS ON THE VERGE OF TEARS BECAUSE MY POOR EMMETT.

I love IvyEmmett so much, they are such a good duo and their scenes together were so cute and devourable


︵࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ quotes

┆“Like you? Ivy Benton, I am obsessed with you. It’s going to kill me.”┆

┆“It seems only determined anti-romantic Ivy Benton was strong enough to scale bleeding-heart Emmett’s thousand-foot-high walls. I don’t even know if she’s realized yet just how devoted he is to her.”┆

┆“I will not resent you, but I’ll say it just this once. I would have loved you. I would have loved you so well.”┆

┆“I’m not strong enough to be under the same roof as you, I am sick with the knowing I cannot have you.”┆


︵࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ overall

╰› wow just wow

[hailey&#x1f940;&#x1f9a2;✮˖°. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

i love a good fae story where they’re tricky and mischievous in the true nature of fairies. throw in a marriage competition with bridgerton vibes? yep, i’m so there.

this was fun and fast paced. i did struggle to get into at first, but i eventually found myself sucked into the story. i definitely preferred the second half and the last 10% had me biting my nails in nervous anticipation.

the romance was good but i felt like it needed more depth. it started slow and then built up really quickly and i don’t know where their feelings came from. everything else was amazing! i really enjoyed the friendships the girls formed throughout their time together and the trials they went through were interesting.

i love the direction it went and will without a doubt be gnawing at the bars of my enclosure for a second book🙂‍↕️

[yoanna lea. · Rating 3 out of 5]

˚˚˖𓍢ִ໋👑₊˚ʚ 💐 ₊˚ → three point five bargaining stars

⋆˚࿔ They’re happy. It should be enough, but I’ve never been a selfless person. It should be me. That’s all my one-track brain can fire off. That should be me. That should be me. That should be me.

tropes⋆˙⟡
⟢ fae bargains
⟢ forbidden romance
⟢ trials and tribulations
⟢ competition for marriage

some spoilers ahead!

thoughts ⋆˙⟡
first of all, I have not read the entirety of the selection for me to judge which is better, but what I can say is this book has a bit of resemblance to some fantasy books I’ve read before, which isn’t bad because it quickly proved that it had its own unique story.
anyway, with that out of the way, this had the quality of a book I easily get intrigued by!!! like the whole competing for a marriage to a prince, the bargains, and the plot twist, ouh girl I was literally on the edge of my seat. this book fed me with all the best kinds of twists, especially those bargains being thrown around and finding out what’s taken from them in exchange + I love that we got point of views of the girls it really helped to see them in different perspectives because let me tell you, I was suspicious of everybody being a backstabber, but I guess I wasn’t suspicious enough because I wasn’t focused on the right person🚶🏻‍♀️‍➡️

trials & plot twists⋆˙⟡
those trials the queen made the six do were brutal, but I’m not even gonna lie, those parts were my favorite to read. it made the plot of the book more interesting because this isn’t just a regular competition; this is a competition to see every part of them, from their capability to survive, and if they’re mentally prepared. I wish there was more of it added into the story, but I guess we don’t always get what we want 😭.

that plot twist took a turn, but let me start with ivy’s bargain. I get why she did it but OMGGGG the way I was baffled like no take it back 😔 that’s why your molars were taken from you (sorry sensitive topic emmett’s reaction killed me…) I bet in secret the queen was rooting for her to say yes to the option of her going for emmett but what do I know we didn’t get any pov of the queen. (salty much) which I wish we had.
okay let me get back on track. that plot was insane, oh my goodness like I actually didn’t expect it at all. bram in my eyes was this angelic and kindhearted prince, but no he’s far from it. some parts of the book, I forget his real identity, which is a fae. I should’ve known better than to think he was different from them. man was just good at acting, apparently.

characters ⋆˙⟡
⋮ 𝐢𝐯𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐧 ── ⟡ ˙🪵 ̟
I have a love and hate relationship with ivy. I love that her character is flawed and isn’t seen as this perfect person like her sister, look how that turned out oop 🫢. some of her decisions were questionable, but other than that, she was true to what she believed in.
now here’s my unpopular opinion…I don’t like how it seems like her world revolves around her sister. which I know doesn’t make sense, but it’s true. there were times when she knew her sister was wrong, but she kept brushing it off. telling her how she loves her. no ivy get ANGRY. the only time she was crashing out was when their loved ones were forced to tell the truth. LIKE PLEASE let it rip girl, she ruined your pact together 🥲 ugh she wasn’t mad enough for me. the only time she’s sure of her feelings is when she’s around emmett. no hate to ivy because she seems really genuine in what she does or her relationship with the six, and both prince, but her sister was going to be her downfall one way or another.

please tell me you get reference of the log emoji I put in ivy’s name ifykyk 🙂‍↕️😏

⋮ 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐞𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐭 𝐝𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞 ── ⟡ ˙📜 ̟
I love the fact that emmett is so in tune with his emotions. I’m so used to the morally grey mmc (no complaints here ofc 🙈) that reading about him with his doe eyes is such a nice little change. when he was spilling everything to ivy my heart was literally aching for him. he was longing to be loved :( he had no one but his father, but the minute his father made that bargain, everything changed. this is literally the only reason I wasn’t a fan of the queen; she took the only person emmett had. so the minute he “ran” over ivy with the carriage was fate aligning for the possibility of him getting it back again, including his father. how I wish that will be the case in the second book, because this man has such a big heart + if you search up forbidden yearner, he will pop up LMAOO 😆.

fav quotes ⋆˙⟡
꒰ 𝙃𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚. 𝙋𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚. 𝘾𝙖𝙣 𝙄 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣? 𝘼𝙗𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙣𝙤𝙩, 𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙡𝙮. 𝙄 𝙗𝙚𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙩.

꒰ 𝘙𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥. 𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘶𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘭𝘦, 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵—𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴.

꒰ 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐’𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘳𝘺, 𝘐 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘸 𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘭. 𝘐’𝘮 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘴. 𝘐’𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮.

꒰ 𝘚𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦, 𝘉𝘳𝘢𝘮 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘴. 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩, 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺, 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶.

꒰ 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙄’𝙢 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙣𝙤𝙬.

꒰ 𝙀𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙩, 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙛𝙚. 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙥𝙞𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙖𝙮. 𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙮 𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙮 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙚.

꒰ 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘴𝘬. 𝘐’𝘮 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴.

꒰ 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙞𝙩, 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙄’𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙩 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚. 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙤 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡.

honorable mention to vee ⋆˙⟡
an honor to read this book with you vee. I may have read it slow, but talking with you as I progressed throughout the book was such a fun time. especially when we’re talking about our love for marion and faith. you already know my love for you goes beyond my words here, but still iloveyousomuch! thank you for doing this with me. we should do it more often 🥹💗.

final thoughts ⋆˙⟡
this would lowkey make a great movie in my opinion. while I was reading the trials, especially the maze part, I was thinking about it like the triwizard tournament!!

★:3.5/5 bargaining stars.

pre-read⋆˙⟡
AHHHH I'm doing my first buddy read with my beautiful vee ‹𝟹 (a long overdue one lol) best start of my nov that's for sure!!
we’ve both been wanting to read this.. so perfect, together it is 🙂‍↕️🤞🏼

[kella {new bio!} · Rating 4 out of 5]

˖ ⁺ ౿ 🥀┆4.65 stars ⛧
⤿ we love a good romantasy 🙂‍↕️

⊹ "why'd you come back?"
"because I wasn't strong enough to stay away... ivy benton, i am obsessed with you. it's going to kill me."

🎧┆ivy + pretty isn’t pretty

ৎ my thoughts
this was such a lovely surprise that i ended up loving this so much ! i heard about this book for the first time when ells mentioned it, so i didn’t really have any expectations, but it surely went above and beyond! i’m obsessed 🤭
this was amazing and everything i love in a romantasy. there were many hints of “bridgerton,” “the selection”, and “the cruel prince” for sure but it still managed to be unique in its own way. i also loved the setting of london (i love that city, wish i could move there tbh) and the magical and fae elements sprinkled in.
the plot twist at the end was crazy and caught me so off guard, like?? and the bargain that ivy made at the end made me not okay omg 😚 but thankfully that got sorted.

ৎ characters
⊹ ivy benton
from the start i loved her and how resilient she was! she was a great fmc and i loved following her.

⊹ prince emmett
MY MANNN 🤭 ugh i love him sm. #teamemmett from the start! he was so charming and i loved his teasing personality. i loved his alliance with ivy and their banter was so good. and the scene at the inn omg—iykyk.

⊹ prince bram
he really had me fooled... but for a while i did really like him, he was kind and respectful and carried himself like a prince. and him being fae was a cool aspect too!

⊹ the girls
i loved getting povs of all the girls, it really added some depth to them and i felt like i go to know them better. all of them had their own stories, tho my heart goes out to greer and marion especially!
and lydia, ivy’s sister, and the whole mystery surrounding her was intriguing, and the plot twist at the end was crazy.

ৎ concluding thoughts
i’m so glad i stumbled upon this book because it was sooo good!! the setting, the plot, everything. please read it 🙏

⊹ to ellie:
as always, i had a wonderful time reading this with you favie! it made it even better and i loved yapping away with you <3 see you in book two! 😉 i love you most in the world 💗

ৎ quotes
"And I swear it, I will not resent you, but I'll say it just this once. I would have loved you. I would have loved you so well."

"The fun of grace is to watch someone fall from it."

"I am sick with the knowing I cannot have you."
"You have me now."

"Did your fancy tutors teach you nothing?"
"If you need an Old English text dissected, I am the boy for you."

"In unfamiliar, boyish handwriting are the words I believe in you. EDV. And below that, a tiny sketch of a shrimp with a heart right in the middle of its head."

"Is that what you tell all the girls you seduce?"
"Are you feeling seduced?"
"I wasn't talking about me!"

—

˖ ⁺ ౿ 🥀┆pre-read !
this one sounds amazing, and also cover is tea 🤭 'the selection meets the cruel prince'?? count me in! plus, so many fav authors have approved of this book tehe. and the best part is that i'm buddy reading this with my favourite girl ever, ellie!! 🥹🌟 EEK i'm so exciteddd! i have a great feeling about this one bestie, but reading anything with you is bound to be so much fun <33 i love you forever and ever MWAH 💋💗

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ooo this was a great mix of fantasy and historical fiction with your typical fae world. The Rose Bargain will spark some really interesting conversations about the presence of physical intimacy in YA novels. While I won't get into that discussion here, I think that Smith wrote this in a way that is appropriate for a YA audience and it illustrated the connection between two characters.

What Worked: I'm not sure I've read many YA novels that tap into both historical fiction and fantasy; however, Smith did a great job blending a host of genres. Not only was I pulled into the idea of a Fae queen taking over the English monarchy, but I was completely enthralled with the characters. Having a wide cast of characters is risky in some ways. While it provides the narrative with a broad range of perspectives and interactions for the main character, the author must be able to create distinctive, unique personalities. Not a single character read the same way. And Smith gives us a taste of quite a few characters and their motivations for entering the competition. It was skillful and intentional with major implications. THAT TWIST AT THE END HAD MY JAW UNHINGED. It was COMPLETELY unexpected. I cannot wait to see how all of this plays out in book 2.

What Didn't Work: I think that parts of this didn't always read YA, but I definitely can see it working for an older YA audience. Also, there were some things that I've seen in other YA fantasies, but that's to be expected.

Overall, this was a great read! I'm definitely looking forward to checking out the sequel when it releases.

[lucy is reading · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book felt like parts of every popular fantasy book had been cherry picked and forced into a book together. The overarching plot was completely forgotten at times, and frankly underwhelming. Perhaps if Ivy was more of a driving force, it would have felt more engaging. But instead, she was more of a reactionary character and spent most of the book just going along with others’ ideas. The writing was also very juvenile, especially with the modern references like ‘valedictorians’ and ‘you got it boss’ for a book set in 1848.

I wish there was more world building to this book; maybe a better fleshing out of this alternative society would have helped. 400 years is a long time to have a fae monarch, especially one that’s vicious and has bargains with nearly every person in the country. The queen bans iron, so what replaces it? How do you still have a landed gentry, and therefore a class system, if anyone can make a bargain (and could bargain for a higher class position)? Similarly, why do women still not have equal rights to men in this? Has no one bargained for that? What about Ireland, Scotland, and Wales?

Ivy was often very judgemental towards the other women in this book. At one point she calls a lady’s maid one of ‘Emmett’s girls’, despite there being no evidence of this. Another girl she calls a ‘castoff’, and it particularly mean about her for no reason. Ivy had an agenda when approaching the debut, but she’s a little too malicious towards other girls that, similarly, have reasons for wanting to marry well. In the end, this book could have benefited from showcasing more of the strength of women bonding and recognising that they’ve been dealt a bad hand. At no point does Ivy actually try to bond with the other girls.

In contrast; the mini pov’s from the other five girls were so interesting. Their backgrounds and personalities were so much bolder, and their motivations much more interesting. I really wish they had featured more because they become my favourite part.

This book was an unfortunate let down. It had a great premise but with not much substance, weak characters, and a bland plot, I was disappointed.

Thank you to the publisher for this arc. All thoughts are my own.