A hapless human prince. A cynical fae mercenary. An unbreakable bargain.
Prince Harmen of Tulpenland, an idyllic duchy of flowers, farm fields, and windmills, has been bargained to the fae to save his little brother’s life. He’s woefully unprepared for the challenges he’s about to face, but he’s determined to escape once the bargain is fulfilled.
Val’s mission should have been deliver the human prince to the fae who holds his bargain. But when they arrive, that fae has already bargained him away to someone else.
Tied together with a magical cord, Val and Harm brave dangerous monsters, treacherous fae, and meddling dragons as they attempt to fulfill the bargain so he can escape and she can go her separate way. If only the prince wasn’t so cheerfully good. Then Val wouldn’t be suffering such a pesky guilt at eventually handing him over to his cruel fate. By the time they reach their destination, will more than a magic cord tie them together?
But nothing is as it seems in the Fae Realm. Not even a simple bargain.
Ties of Bargains is book 4 in Tethered Hearts, a multi-author series of no spice fantasy romances. Each standalone story features a magical bond that forces the couple to discover how much they’re willing to sacrifice for the sake of love.
Born and raised in Michigan, I enjoy traveling to new adventures that inspire my writing.
Growing up, I read just about every book I could get my hands on, especially fantasy. I currently write YA fantasy and romantic fantasy filled with lots of humor, spunky and tough leading ladies, and broken heroes.
When I am not writing, I enjoy spending time with my chocolate lab, Miss Kisses.
I brought this with me on a road trip and thought “I’ll read the first few chapters and then do something else” then looked up 6 hours later and boom, had devoured all of it. Sooooo addicting!
From chapter 1, Harm had my whole heart. What a sweet guy with a heart of gold!!! His goodness was his best asset (plus his convenient bargaining skills) and Val? Val was my favorite kind of heroine!!!! Talented, deadly, standoffish… the perfect match for Harm’s sweet golden retriever attitude.
Then the world building!!! All of the fae realms, the scarecrow 😱 the hidden Marvel Easter egg and the grain pixies… I LOVED IT ALL!!!
I firmly believe that it is impossible for Tara Grayce to write anything less than a 5 star book!! I will recommend it FOREVER!!!
I was super excited to start this book as I have loved every part of the series. When I found out that the Dutch heritage is sewn into the fabric of this book – the language, tulips, canals, pottery, etc., I was so happy! My entire ancestry on both sides of my family is Dutch so that heritage has been woven deeply into my life and it’s very dear to my heart. Reading about it in a book – having it brought into this fantasy world – was so much more than I could have ever asked for.
This was a great no spice romantasy. With a human Prince and a fae mercenary, the tension between realms was high. As Harm spends his time as a captive - bargained away to save his brother’s life - he discovers that all isn’t as it seems. Val is forced to take Harm all over the place to try and deliver him to fulfill the bargain and get out of the bond. As these enemies send time in forced proximity to each other, they learn more about each other, their realms, and themselves. This plot was really good and kept me interested. Some of this story did drag on a bit as the bargain was traded over and over and it seemed their journey would never end. This is a just kisses romance.
It’s official—we need more Dutch inspired fantasy! Blue and white pottery, canals and windmills, tulips and cheese?! YES. Nadine Brandes’ Wishtress is the only other time I’ve seen Dutch influence in a fantasy world, and I love it.
Okay, moving on! If I wasn’t already convinced Tara was a genius, this book would have convinced me! From the way it intersects with her other series set in the same world (Court of Midsummer Mayhem series), to the way the story never got repetitive despite a key event happening over and over again. It was hilariously entertaining and heroically thoughtful.
Harm, the somewhat naïve MMC, was adorable. Because despite his limitations in understanding the fae realm, he’s a man of strong character and honour with a deep moral compass. Such a sweetheart! Then there’s Val. Goodness, I loved her! A seasoned warrior with a no-nonsense approach… who’s stabby. I love the way they influence and challenge each other to grow, and of course the romance was pretty adorable, too! 🤭
Read a Tara Grayce book and thank me later—she’s amazing! 😍
Content: several fae courts are known for their scanty dressing which embarrasses Harm (it isn’t graphically described)
A fun enemies to lovers romance that had me wanting to finish it in one sitting. It also had Easter eggs for those of us who've read her other Court books, which I really enjoyed. Definitely recommend for those who want a quick, easy, clean read. Content: Kissing, and PG13 level violence.
Ties of Bargains: A Magical Romance of Forced Proximity and Fae Deception 💜✨
If you’re ready for a story where sheer, stubborn goodness breaks through the iciest defenses, then prepare to fall head over heels for Ties of Bargains. This book delivers the quintessential “sunshine and the cynic” dynamic ☀️ with a breathtaking fantasy backdrop. We meet Prince Harmen of Tulpenland 🌸, a sweetheart of a human who’s been sacrificed in a desperate bargain to save his family. Harmen is woefully unprepared for the cruel realities of the Fae Realm 🥀, yet his optimistic resolve and sweet disposition become a surprisingly effective weapon against despair. Watching his unwavering hope clash with the dark world he’s been thrust into is genuinely compelling and gives the story its tender, beating heart. 💖
Harmen’s reluctant handler is Val, a battle-hardened fae mercenary 🗡️ whose only intention is professional distance. Her assignment was simple, but fae politics—as always—are treacherous. When Harmen is swiftly re-bargained to a new, mysterious owner, Val finds herself permanently tethered 🎀 to the prince by a magical, unbreakable cord. This forced proximity is where the true chemistry ignites. As they brave dangerous monsters, treacherous fae courts 🌙, and even meddling dragons 👑 along their journey, Val’s cynical shell begins to crack. She struggles with a fierce, growing guilt over delivering this wonderful, infuriatingly kind human to his cruel destiny. The magic cord may have tied them together physically, but the narrative beautifully charts the emotional journey as their fates become inextricably linked.
The world-building is expertly woven into the plot; nothing is predictable, least of all the bargains themselves. The stakes are delightfully high, escalating from a simple exchange into a complex quest for survival and freedom. By the time Val and Harmen near their final destination, you are absolutely invested in the transformation of their relationship. You’ll be breathless wondering if their bond will be strong enough to withstand the final, crushing twists of the Fae Realm. The story’s promise that "nothing is as it seems" is paid off spectacularly, offering deep emotional satisfaction alongside the thrilling adventure.
Final Verdict
Ties of Bargains is a captivating journey that masterfully blends action, magic, and deep emotional connection. It is the perfect read for lovers of slow-burn romance 🔥 and intricate political fantasy where the biggest battle is the one fought for the heart. Get ready to be charmed and completely swept away.
This is a fun book filled with humor and action! I was immediately sucked into this beautiful world, full of great imagery, so many details when into it. A fae world that's very expansive, full of lots of different creatures and full of lots of different settings. It was so well done, where you can imagine it but it's not overwhelming to the point of confusion.
The characters are polar opposites and they work! They are definitely grumpy/sunshine, the FMC (Val) is stabby, and the MMC (Harmen/Harm) is all that's good and proper. Together they grow and change, bringing out the best in each other. She gets him to toughen up, be more himself. And he helps her smile more, and want to be on the good side. She may be the mercenary sent to deliver him to captivity, but instead they set each other free. Falling in love along the way 😉
They are so cute too, even though everything is trying to eat or kill them, they're is just so much humour in the story I was smiling or laughing at multiple points and I loved it all!
They have to go on this long journey, literally tied together and nothing goes their way. And even though he is pretty much doomed, Harm has this hope and confidence the whole time which is very admirable or annoying to Val 😂 they are so fun, and it is just a must read to find out. Eventually they realize bigger things are at stack and work together to fight. Towards the later half there is multiple plot twists and it was so good! And it all wraps up so nicely with a nice happy ending but left with knowing the characters journey isn't over for them.
Content: No-Spice/kisses only, no swearing, death(not graphic), violence, suggestive elements, talk of humans being tortured (not graphic)
*I received this book as an arc but I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Okay, so this was a decent book… but I would not consider it a Tara Grayce best.
Language: N/A
Sexual content: Some Fae women are described as wearing very little or revealing clothing, and there are kisses.
Violence and Gore: Traveling across the fae realms is not an easy feat, and I’d say most don’t get out unscathed. There is plenty of fighting fae and monsters, but nothing is graphic.
I feel like I am an unfair when it comes to fae books.They just don’t capture me the way they seem to everyone else. I have read good fae books of course, but most are just kinda meh. I would say this was the latter.
Harm was sweet, but he definitely was not my favorite of the characters Tara Grayce had written. I loved how accepting he was of Val though, despite her many faults (namely the fact that she was the one delivering him to a fae master).
Val… was very hard to relate to. I just really didn’t connect to her character. Initially, if I’m being totally honest, she annoyed me (mind you, she redeemed herself in the end).
I loved the hints to Tara Grayces other fae books, however! If I’m right, I’d say the “great-grandsir” referenced toward the end is a certain dragon-shifter I love 😜
Overall, I would probably not read this again, but it wasn’t terrible and I was able to enjoy it (though it took me a minute to get into).
I received a free ARC copy of this book from the author, though all opinions are completely my own!
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC of this audiobook.
This book was just okay, and not really something to write home about. There wasn't much action that happened until the end and I really didn't believe the relationship between Val and Harm.
I liked the idea of the FMC not being a dainty maiden, but being a badass mercenary, I just wish there was more of that badassness.
The twist at the end was good, but not shocking and didn't make me feel anything.
I LOVED the narrators. I especially enjoyed that the dual POV also had dual narrators! A fantastic story balancing human and fae. I enjoyed that I felt like I was on the adventure with the characters!
I received an audio ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.
Personal rate: 4.5 stars Age rating: 14+ Genre: Fantasy
Romance level: kissing only (thought of desiring to kiss and touch) Gore/Violence: Talk of blood. Injury. Sickness. Death. Sword fighting. Stabbing.
(Chap 1- their poor dad 😭 It talked a lot about locations and courts in the first chapter. I can’t tell if this is part of the other books worlds or not. I have yet to see any cross over from any of the previous books. Every book in this series just seems like a standalone.
He was so respectful. That definitely kept him alive and kept Val from getting too annoyed and it was so sweet. Their care for one another was so sweet. Even when it was “just a job” there was care there and respect and it was cute. Seeing the love interests grow was interesting.
This world is so cool and scary and weird XD. I genuinely couldn’t think of how they’ll get out of the bond till a while through. I’d forgotten about a specific thing. The skating scene! And the scene before!
They’re so cute! I have so many highlighted things. I listened to the audio book and the voice actors were great.
(Would you stab me if I kissed you?) (The thin matching line? I should have seen that coming but) (Their pets XD)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I loved this book! So fun! Really like the prince. And the book has fun connections to the rest of her books in this world but doesn’t need any pre-knowledge of the other books.
Note: I received an ARC copy from the author, but my review is voluntary and my own.
*Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this audio ARC; the review is my own.*
I was very excited when I got approved for this audiobook. I’ve followed the group of authors who wrote the books in the Tethered Hearts series for a while, so this book was already on my radar before I found it on NetGalley. And I enjoyed it—truly, I did. I think my daughter would love it.
What kept it from being more than a 3-star book for me, though, was that the majority of the book felt a bit repetitive and predictable. Harm and Val went from one person to another, only to find out that he had been bargained away ahead of his arrival, requiring them to search for the next person. Other things happen throughout their journey, but I can’t deny that a few a little weary of them bouncing around from place to place.
The last portion of the book, however, was more enjoyable for me because we got past the bargains. I would have liked that section to be more of the book.
How it ends:
Language: None Violence: Mild fantasy Alcohol & drugs: None Physical Intimacy: Kisses only LGBT: None
Audiobook Narrators & Comments: Tristan James & Amanda Dolan These narrators were fine, but I didn’t love them for this book. I’ve listened to books read by Amanda Dolan before, and feel like her voice is more fitting for contemporary romance instead of fantasy. Tristan James sounded a bit too old for Harm. And he read certain words kind of strangely (for example, “fae” as “fay-ee”). Perhaps these words were written this way in his chapters, but I’m not sure why they would be.
Not gonna lie…I had extremely high expectations for this book. Grayce is one of my very favorite authors and her books are among my very favorite series of all time. And when I saw this ARC appear in my inbox I literally did a Happy Dance!
And……drum roll please…
Ties of Bargains did not disappoint! On the contrary, it way beyond surpassed my expectations and hopes on every single level!!!!
When Duke Johannes’s younger son comes down with a mysterious illness he has no other choice but to find a Fee and bargain for a way to save his life. And when he agrees to the Bargain of a life for a life he never expected that the life he Bargained away was that of his oldest son—Harm. But Harm isn’t one to give up hope. He is determined to bargain, charm, and fight his way back to the Human Realm.
And Val…well…Val just wants to deliver this human pup to his new master and get back to living her mercenary life—fighting monster, making deliveries, and staying alive. She isn’t at all prepared for her package to be filled with charm, hope, integrity, and the determination to free himself.
Together Val and Harm will set out as captor and captive, traipse the Fee Realm on an adventure neither could have anticipated, and maybe just maybe discover who they really are along the way.
I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS STORY! From the adventure to the unique creatures, from the Fee bargains to the magic, from the sweet, swoony but oh so clean romance, to the darker and more unexpected aspects this story made my heart do a continual happy dance and left my soul singing! It was unique and fun and all around heartwarming and I couldn’t have loved it any more!
But there are a few aspects of this story that really spoke to me.
First of all, I loved the Dutch heritage woven into it. From the different spelling of Fee to the character names (yessss! My husband’s name is Johannes) and the little details like wooden shoes (yesssss! My husband and I do both own a pair) it was really fun to explore my hubby’s heritage woven into one of my favorite fantasy universes.
Second, I absolutely adored the sweet and swoony romance. I don’t know how Grayce does it but somehow she is able to create these lovely and all enduring, fight til you die or come out on the other side, romances that are all completely unique but magical in their own unique way and on every level. How does she do it?! Maybe it’s magic!
Finally, and perhaps my very favorite aspect of this story, is all the crazy cool and beyond deadly creatures. Grayce really knocked it out of the park when it came to incorporating some truly monstrous monsters, as well as, one of the sweetest and most delightful animal companions I’ve ever read. I loved that she took a giant leap out of the proverbial box and gave us some truly nightmarish monsters. It was **chef’s kiss**!!!
So yep…YOU NEED TO READ TIES OF BARGAINS!!! It’s awesome and wonderful and sweet and even a bit nightmarish and it just left my heart feeling so very happy!
Prince Harmen, known as Harm to those he calls friends, is dealing with a lot right now. His brother is dying from a mysterious illness and then he finds out his father made a deal with the fee. Add that to the building pressure from the neighboring kingdom threatening force for their trade routes. But the bargain was not what his father thought it was and instead of trading himself to the fee it was instead Harm who was to be taken. Harm is initially shocked but agrees to go to save the life of his brother and attempt an escape if possible. Valerie is a mercenary for the Wild Hunt from the Realm of Monsters. Over the years she has learned to not get attached or befriend the packages she is hired to pick up. This isn’t her first delivery run for the Fee Courts but something about this one is different. Not only does the package seem too innocent, his bargain keeps getting traded, and someone orchestrated this series of events. She wanted simple and easy and this anything but. Unfortunately they are bound together until someone takes delivery of the package. Being literally tied to someone who is morally good and optimistic has her questioning herself and her choices. Once this delivery is done will she be able to walk away knowing what her fellow fee does to humans?
This was a fun book to read especially knowing that his bargain was traded AGAIN. The series of events of how this happened just kept getting more absurd and it was fun to watch unfold. Harm is not naive and knew to do research before the trade but his innocence in the world itself was very real. He knew he would be out of his depth, that every place and person was new and unique to him, but he knew to not trust everyone around him. The real learning curve was not trusting everyTHING around him. Watching Val become less hardened and recognizing she wasn’t as free as she thought she was was a fun adventure too. Her dog Daisy definitely made things lively and interesting at times. Some of the morally gray things that happened I felt were handled and talked about well. Another fun addition to this author’s work.
I probably should have made this last longer, but I inhaled it in one sitting.
Yes, it was just that good.
Prince Harmon, or Harm as he prefers, is the eldest son in his dutchy. His much younger brother, Gijs has suddenly taken ill and is not expected to survive, so his father has gone to the tulips fields in hopes to find a fae to bargain with. Believing that the life in exchange for Gij’s recovery will be his own, the king readily agrees but is then shocked to learn the life to be exchanged is that of Harm and not himself.
Arriving at the field to willingly hand himself over in order to save his young brother, Harm is surprised when a young woman comes to handle the exchange. All too quickly our charmingly naive prince finds himself bound to the girl by a magic rope that allows no more than ten feet of separation as she escorts him through the fae lands to be handed over to Queen Mab.
Whether to his good fortune or not Mab no longer holds Harm’s binding, so he and the mercenary he’s tied to have no choice but to stick with each other far longer than the mercenary had planned for.
Val, our mercenary, is a member of the Wild Hunt. She’s used to moving “merchandise” but she’s never met anyone quite like Harm with his unending optimism, horrific ability to defend himself and puppy-like earnestness. Can Harm somehow charm this stab-happy and tough woman to helping him gain not only his freedom but find his way back home?
Both Harm and Val have great chemistry and I love the humor- like Harm noting he’s definitely soft and not chiseled like all the sculpted fae male hardbodies on display. His first time wielding a knife is just priceless. Val, for all her tough-as-nails persona is attached at the hip to the silliest, most cuddly, most face-lickiest dog ever.
You’ll be entertained all the way to the very end.
Bargains with the fae are never what you expect, and Harm finds this out the hard way when he’s traded for a cure to save his brother. He’s tied to a fae warrior and dragged across the fae realm as she attempts to deliver him to the person who bargained for him.
But when they’re turned away repeatedly and their adventure grows more and more harrowing, Harm begins to think that maybe not everything in the fae realm is as bad as expected.
Val just wants to deliver the package, get paid, and get on with her life. Having the package be the most puppy-like of humans doesn’t matter to her. At all. Or so she keeps telling herself.
“...She was bound to evil. To guilt. To the consequences of a life lived ignoring that true freedom was found in what was right and good and noble.”
This story was soooo good. I love how Tara wove in the themes of good versus evil, and that appearances of good didn’t always equal true and noble.
Ties of Bargains is set in Tara’s Court of Midsummer Mayhem world and I loved getting to revisit this land of fae and monsters and sometimes-three-headed dogs. Tara’s imagination is on display in every aspect of the world, with every chapter revealing something new and wonderful and possibly quite awful.
But Tara’s strength also lies in her incredible characters and I adored seeing both Harm and Val grow on their journey. And their romance is sooo perfect and swoony!
5 Roses A couple of kisses No swearing Kidnapping, mention of coercion, minor mentions of blood and injuries, but no gore.
Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook version of Ties of Bargains by Tara Grayce! This was a very nice book and I really enjoyed the story and how it took you on a lighthearted but fast paced journey. I am always one for wishing for more to a book and this one definitely could have used a few more side quests or more world building especially as they traveled to several different lands over the short span of time. The book really kept its sweet, light danger, slight romance (kissing) through the whole book which took place during only a few weeks for our characters. The narrators did a great job with the female in particular putting a great deal of emotion into her voice to make you really feel the story. The male did have a few stiff moments, but it could have been the authors writing also as there were a few times where the author repeated themself in a few sentences that when spoken aloud makes it more noticeable. There was one paragraph where the term holding her hands was repeated a few times in a row. Just a few little things like that. But really this was a lovely clean book perfect for YA readers. I guess it is part of a series but the book reads as a standalone / the story fully wrapped up at the end of the book. I would definitely be interested in reading more books from this world!
💜Review💜 Ties of Bargains was a great addition to Tara Grayce’s fae universe. Boy, does she know how to make a stabby and fun romance! This novel was a wild romp through Kingdoms and realms and features a cast of colorful characters and environments. I loved the Easter eggs peppered throughout. The Netherlands theme was a huge plus.
Harm and Val are adorable. They are THE golden retriever boyfriend and black cat girlfriend couple. I adore the fact that Harm is full of such unstoppable kindness and cheer. And it was fun to watch Val try to withstand his sunshine nature and to see the changes in her character as the story progressed. Oh! And Daisy was hilarious and acted as comedic relief at the perfect times.
As with everything else, the plot in this story is wild, creative, and sometimes hectic (trust me, it’s amazing). A couple of characters showed up throughout that had me cheering and excited to see more novels set in the same universe. The ending was so cute and left room for spinoffs in the future. Thank you to Tara Grayce for an ARC of Ties of Bargains! All opinions are my own.
Ties of Bargains was impressive to me because, while I normally prefer the MMC, I loved Val (the FMC). Of course, I loved Harm too, but Val is special. The wit and banter and the dry humour between the two of them had me grinning like mad and even chuckling aloud more than once. In terms of amusement, this book is gold.
It works really well because, without the laughs, it would feel more dark as it does deal with a few dark things. In Ties of Bargains, we see glimpses and brief snippets of some of the terrible aspects of the Fae Realm in this world, but also some of the redemptive ones. Not every Fae is evil and not every Human is good: It’s a real life truth.
It did take me a moment to get into, and I think it was because of all the Dutch names. Had I been listening to an audiobook, I may have been good to go, but I always get tripped up when I don’t know how to pronounce something. BUT, I quickly got over it and was invested in the story.
We get some brief cameos of other characters in this world, but Bargains does work as a standalone, so that was just a fun bonus.
Romance: A few kisses, but nothing dramatic
Violence: well, there is more of that. But no deaths that I can recall. : )
This book was absolutely INCREDIBLE! The characters were perfectly developed and I just loved Val and Harm. When Tara said that Val was going to be stabby I was absolutely thrilled as I love stabby characters :)! She did not disappoint. Harm was also so sweet as he's just so innocent and trusting with an excellent moral compass. I really enjoyed getting to see more of the Fae Realm and the other courts and it was great to see how much the Primrose expanded her league. The world-building was amazing and I loved seeing Harm's kingdom as well as the Fae Realm. The historical facts at the end were also really interesting and so wonderfully incorporated into the story. This book had me completely hooked from the first page and I simply could not put it down. The tone of this story was perfect! It wasn't too dark but it was still serious even though there were still some lighthearted moments - especially towards the end. I loved the ending and I loved Val's mercenary team, seeing Gijs, and I loved the pets! Excellent work Tara Grayce!
Yes! Finally! I've been waiting so long for Ties of Bargains to come out (ever since I first learned of it). I've read all of Tara's books and I absolutely LOVED this one too! I really enjoyed Ties of Bargains and getting to see how each of the stories that take place in this world interconnect. I honestly had no idea that Nessa from Mountains of Dragons and Sacrifice took place decades (or was it centuries?) ago. It was nice knowing that so that I could make a mental timeline of when these books take place. As for the plot and the characters, what can I say, it's Tara. The characters are fun, cute, and snarky, but also deadly and dangerous. The romance was amazing and I loved watching both Val and Harm grow and learn to trust each other. The ending was also very satisfying and I really enjoyed the wild ride Tara took us on through Faerie. This was a great book and I highly recommend it to everyone. It's got danger, humour, and romance with just the right combination of light and dark, fast and slow, paces. What more could you possibly want?
When I first started this book I did not think I would like it as much as I did. I loved that Tulpenland was inspired by the Netherlands and the Fae Realm included references to the headless horseman and Baba Yaga. The inclusion of dragons, sprites, and horrific scarecrows is an added bonus.
The stubbornness of Val and the snarky, sarcasm from Harm was endearing. It is always refreshing to follow characters on not just a physical journey, but also their internal journey. Showing their internal conflict and how they solidify their resolve and morals. How they mature through out the story and grow because of their companion.
I’d recommend this book to those who enjoy fantasy worlds, reading about the significance of trust, and finding love amidst reflecting on ones own struggles of confirming what is right or wrong.
*I received this book as an arc but I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Human Prince versus the bargaining Fae Courts—5 stars. Val is a tough fae mercenary and Harm is a human Prince who hasn’t had to live a rough life. He is unprepared for the Fae Realm or how to protect himself, but he is both intrigued and fearful of the various Courts. Val keeps trying to deliver her “package”, which is Harm, but in each case, Harm has been bargained to someone else. Val’s feelings towards Harm and the lifestyle she lives start to change because of so much time spent with him. Harm feels like too many things want to eat him in some of the Courts in the Fae Realm, and despairs of ever returning home. We are reintroduced to representatives of the Wild Fae Primrose and meet a fae mercenary from the Realm of Monsters who introduces himself by saying, “I am Grutte.” This was a fun story with several laughs, witty dialog at times, and which showed the growth of both main characters. Daisy was an endearing and comical sidekick. I received an ARC copy from the author.
Ties of Bargains really allows users to explore some of the different far realms and better understand their cultures and customs. Harm is endearingly innocent, honorable and kind. It is fun hearing the story from both perspectives and watching each of them grow in different ways. Val was raised to be a mercenary but it is fun watching her evaluate and reevaluate her world and her place in it. She also has a very fun and snarky sense of humor. I enjoyed the Netherlands theme woven throughout as Harm’s duchy is a fantastical version of the Netherlands. The book had a clean no spice romance and non gory violence. It can be read stand alone or as part of her Midsummer Series. Ties of Bargains is a great read for those going on a trip or wishing they could go on one as the characters go on a dangerous fantastical roadtrip full of twists and turns.
In a playful tale of fae vs humans, Prince Harmen of sweet Tulpenland longs to be returned to his privileged life as a member of the royal family, but he’s been traded to the vicious fae for his little brother’s life. Simple Harm has no vices. The fae make up for that!
We roam with Harm and his captor through the four-seasoned lands of the magical folk, threatened by weird enemies and repeatedly foiled in the desire to be done with the whole thing. It’s a fun idea, a creative plot and a cute scenario. However, Harm’s characterized as “good” simply because he’s naïve, and his lady captor somehow falls in love with him because he doesn’t want to abuse her?
While I enjoyed the ideas, the characters lacked depth and the relationships were not credible. However, for a fun fairy-human story romp, it’s got its place.
This was such a fun story! I have loved every one of the books I have read from Ms. Grace and this one was no exception! The reverse grumpy-sunshine was adorable and I loved the tie-ins to other books. Harm was such a sweetheart! He cared so much about his family and was so optimistic. He was out of his depth in the Fae world and was so willing to learn from Val. Harm definitely struggled with the complexity and ruthlessness of the Fae world. We get to learn some of the world through his POV. Val was so cool! I admired her competency and drive. It was really sweet to see her soften with Harm and to get a different perspective through her time with him. Val has to reevaluate some of her priorities. Daisy was also a delight! What a fun animal companion! Harm and Val really balanced each other well and encouraged the other’s strengths. It was so fun to go on their journey with them! There was quite the variety of settings and you really got to see some of the world! As a reader of the Court of Midsummer Mayhem series, I loved the tie-ins and cameos, but a new reader will enjoy it just as much as an introduction. Honestly, I was on the edge of my seat to discover how the story would work out! It was not fully complete until practically the last chapter! This is a fantasy romance adventure with some fantasy violence and only kissing. I received an ARC.
I have been enjoying Tara Grayce's books for years and Ties of Bargains did not disappoint!! 📚 Ties of Bargains is about a prince, Harm, who gets bargained to the fae. And a fae mercenary, Val, who is in charge of delivering him. And I'm the land of the feeenvolk bargains are everything. 📚 Tara Grayce has a way of creating worlds that makes me want to jump right in. And I absolutely loved watching the dynamic change between Val and Harm! I have always loved a strong female character and Val definitely checks off that box! 📚 This book was given to me as an ARC, all opinions are my own. This book releases March 28, 2025. 📚 #TiesofBargains #TaraGrayce #TetheredHearts #fantasymonsters #forcedproximity #tendingwounds #grumpyxsunshine #onlyonebed #bookreview #fae #fantasy
Grayce delivers yet another incredible story! I'm so impressed how well she can write a book that can be read as a stand alone but have so much for readers of her other books that it's enjoyable for both! The cameos from other books were some of my favorite and I loved picking them out as I was reading. The story was swoony, and I'd expect nothing less from Grayce. I loved how she did some things different, like having fee instead of fae, that fit the culture she was writing from the perspective of. I adored Harm as a character and Val is just awesome. The two go really well together, once both go through a bit of growth. Honestly, it's another great addition to both Tethered Hearts and Court of Midsummer Mayhem and I highly recommend it!