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The Tricky Business of Faerie Bargains
A former changeling must return to the land of the Fae to right a bargain that's gone terribly wrong in this delightful cozy fantasy debut packed full of charm, adventure, romance and heart.
When Poppy Hill was a child she was stolen from her family's Montana homestead and taken to the land of the fae, where she spent more than a century as a cook in the Wild King's castle. Now back in the human world, she works for a company that brokers fairy bargains, looking for loopholes in their contracts.
Then a bargain that Poppy is negotiating goes disastrously wrong and she has to return to the world she grew up in to try to rectify her mistake, facing danger, intrigue and a pesky ex-boyfriend along the way.
When Poppy Hill was a child she was stolen from her family's Montana homestead and taken to the land of the fae, where she spent more than a century as a cook in the Wild King's castle. Now back in the human world, she works for a company that brokers fairy bargains, looking for loopholes in their contracts.
Then a bargain that Poppy is negotiating goes disastrously wrong and she has to return to the world she grew up in to try to rectify her mistake, facing danger, intrigue and a pesky ex-boyfriend along the way.
410 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2026
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April 10, 2026
4.5 ★— How often have I read a fantasy story where a mortal ruins their life by making a poorly worded bargain with the fae? Honestly, quite a lot. So a book about an agency that helps humans negotiate airtight bargains with the fae feels like a literal stroke of genius.
Poppy is this book's main character, and her job, as a former changeling that lived in the fae realm for a century, is to help with wording the faerie bargains so that mortals don’t end up being tricked into dangerous situations. When one of her cases goes awry, she has to embark back into the faerie realm.
This book worked for me on so many levels! I really enjoyed how intelligent and competent Poppy was, with her having grown up among the fae, and clearly still having a fierce longing and fondness for the Otherside. The book took the unique perspective of slowly peeling back the layers of trauma that Poppy has suppressed from her time there, and did this in a very lovely and subtle way that really helped to show how insidious it can be when you suddenly begin to understand how messed up your upbringing was once you have some distance from it.
I also just generally loved the portrayal of the fae here. As someone that prefers her fae to be as inhuman, twisty and sometimes scary, as their folkloric roots suggest, this story managed to portray this well, showing how hostile the Otherside is for mortals, while introducing an interesting take on the fae-human relationship that stems from the fae also being dependent on humans in some way.
Much of this book is told in a journey-style structure, showing Poppy having to make her way through the fae lands. Any romance here is mostly a tiny subplot, as Poppy has her fae ex-boyfriend who features. The book does also plant seeds of another potential romantic connection with a hunter character named Theron, but those are really just seeds, as the book leaves a lot of possibilities for a sequel wide open!
This is truly for the people who liked the depictions of the fae in Holly Black's, Heather Fawcett’s and Olivia Atwater's works, and are as eager for more trickster fae as I am! I will be looking out for any news on the sequel for this!
___________
Thank you to Orbit Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Poppy is this book's main character, and her job, as a former changeling that lived in the fae realm for a century, is to help with wording the faerie bargains so that mortals don’t end up being tricked into dangerous situations. When one of her cases goes awry, she has to embark back into the faerie realm.
This book worked for me on so many levels! I really enjoyed how intelligent and competent Poppy was, with her having grown up among the fae, and clearly still having a fierce longing and fondness for the Otherside. The book took the unique perspective of slowly peeling back the layers of trauma that Poppy has suppressed from her time there, and did this in a very lovely and subtle way that really helped to show how insidious it can be when you suddenly begin to understand how messed up your upbringing was once you have some distance from it.
I also just generally loved the portrayal of the fae here. As someone that prefers her fae to be as inhuman, twisty and sometimes scary, as their folkloric roots suggest, this story managed to portray this well, showing how hostile the Otherside is for mortals, while introducing an interesting take on the fae-human relationship that stems from the fae also being dependent on humans in some way.
Much of this book is told in a journey-style structure, showing Poppy having to make her way through the fae lands. Any romance here is mostly a tiny subplot, as Poppy has her fae ex-boyfriend who features. The book does also plant seeds of another potential romantic connection with a hunter character named Theron, but those are really just seeds, as the book leaves a lot of possibilities for a sequel wide open!
This is truly for the people who liked the depictions of the fae in Holly Black's, Heather Fawcett’s and Olivia Atwater's works, and are as eager for more trickster fae as I am! I will be looking out for any news on the sequel for this!
___________
Thank you to Orbit Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 18, 2026
2.5 Stars
One Liner: First in the series
As a child, Poppy Hill was taken from her home in Montana to the land of fae. She spent over a century there, working as a cook in the Wild King’s castle. Now back in the human world, she works with a company that brokers contracts between the two worlds. When a bargain Poppy is negotiating goes terribly wrong, she has to enter the fae world again to rectify the mistake.
The story comes in Poppy’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts
When I saw the book and read the blurb, I was hoping for something fun and entertaining like How to Survive a Fairy Bargain. However, after the first 10%, this steadily went downhill. I persisted for a while and then switched to speed reading, which made it better.
The world-building is interesting, with bargains, legalities, and stuff between humans (Reality) and the Otherside. The faes are described in a blend of scary but alluring manner, which works in creating that vibe.
However, none of the characters we meet have any depth. Just because they are faes doesn’t mean they can’t have proper arcs. This majorly affected my reading experience as I couldn’t see why the FMC thought S was her best friend or why she loved her fae ex-boyfriend.
The plot adds another layer of intrigue and danger when the FMC goes to the Otherside. This should have engaged me, but I was bored. There isn’t enough foundation to care about anything or support a side. Heck, most of the time, I didn’t even know who to root for!
I don’t know why so many uninspiring love triangles are popping up in my reads, but this one was also unnecessary. Moreover, this is not a romance read either. No chemistry, not enough backstories, and nothing really.
The book did get better in the last quarter, but the damage was done. This needed more depth and more character detailing. Describing the setting is not enough. Sass is good, but not enough if readers don’t care enough to root for the character.
And… why is this not marked as the first in the series? It ended when I wasn’t even expecting! Since there’s no author’s note or any last page in my ARC, I wondered if it was an incomplete copy. Reading a few reviews shows that the book is indeed set up for a sequel. Sigh!
To summarize, The Tricky Business of Faerie Bargains has a wonderful premise and a great start, but it doesn’t sustain the momentum. I wish I liked it better. That said, the book has a pretty good rating (so far), so read other reviews before you decide.
Thank you, NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK (Orbit), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheTrickyBusinessOfFaerieBargains
One Liner: First in the series
As a child, Poppy Hill was taken from her home in Montana to the land of fae. She spent over a century there, working as a cook in the Wild King’s castle. Now back in the human world, she works with a company that brokers contracts between the two worlds. When a bargain Poppy is negotiating goes terribly wrong, she has to enter the fae world again to rectify the mistake.
The story comes in Poppy’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts
When I saw the book and read the blurb, I was hoping for something fun and entertaining like How to Survive a Fairy Bargain. However, after the first 10%, this steadily went downhill. I persisted for a while and then switched to speed reading, which made it better.
The world-building is interesting, with bargains, legalities, and stuff between humans (Reality) and the Otherside. The faes are described in a blend of scary but alluring manner, which works in creating that vibe.
However, none of the characters we meet have any depth. Just because they are faes doesn’t mean they can’t have proper arcs. This majorly affected my reading experience as I couldn’t see why the FMC thought S was her best friend or why she loved her fae ex-boyfriend.
The plot adds another layer of intrigue and danger when the FMC goes to the Otherside. This should have engaged me, but I was bored. There isn’t enough foundation to care about anything or support a side. Heck, most of the time, I didn’t even know who to root for!
I don’t know why so many uninspiring love triangles are popping up in my reads, but this one was also unnecessary. Moreover, this is not a romance read either. No chemistry, not enough backstories, and nothing really.
The book did get better in the last quarter, but the damage was done. This needed more depth and more character detailing. Describing the setting is not enough. Sass is good, but not enough if readers don’t care enough to root for the character.
And… why is this not marked as the first in the series? It ended when I wasn’t even expecting! Since there’s no author’s note or any last page in my ARC, I wondered if it was an incomplete copy. Reading a few reviews shows that the book is indeed set up for a sequel. Sigh!
To summarize, The Tricky Business of Faerie Bargains has a wonderful premise and a great start, but it doesn’t sustain the momentum. I wish I liked it better. That said, the book has a pretty good rating (so far), so read other reviews before you decide.
Thank you, NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK (Orbit), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheTrickyBusinessOfFaerieBargains
November 25, 2025
Thank you so much Little, Brown Book Group UK | Orbit for the arc!
- faerie bargains company
- magical bureaucracy
- forced proximity
- courtly intrigues
- second-chance romance?
What I liked:
- The idea of connecting the faerie world with the real world through a corporate company was brilliant! It felt like such a modern and realistic concept to turn bargaining with faeries into a business. You want to become a successful movie star? Trade your sense of smell or your labor for a few years. The brokers make sure the bargain is safe from loopholes.
- The insights into the faeries’ lives, how they navigate daily tasks and work out bargains among each other. I also found the sneak peeks into how the different lords build their demesnes, from ice-age-like patches to tropical ones, so interesting!
What I didn’t like:
- Personally, I found the romance or the lack thereof a bit disappointing. All the key elements were there: surprising allies, forced proximity, a meddling ex-boyfriend… but sadly, it fizzled out a bit toward the end. I can easily see that there will be another book coming and that this one was only the build-up, though!
- I sometimes felt like the protagonist acted too cool and level-headed in dire situations or maybe I just couldn’t quite emotionally attach to her. I wished for a bit more tension and angst.
Writing style: 4/5
Characters: 4,5/5
Story & Plot: 4/5
Vibes: 4,5/5
Will I buy the physical copy: yes!
- faerie bargains company
- magical bureaucracy
- forced proximity
- courtly intrigues
- second-chance romance?
What I liked:
- The idea of connecting the faerie world with the real world through a corporate company was brilliant! It felt like such a modern and realistic concept to turn bargaining with faeries into a business. You want to become a successful movie star? Trade your sense of smell or your labor for a few years. The brokers make sure the bargain is safe from loopholes.
- The insights into the faeries’ lives, how they navigate daily tasks and work out bargains among each other. I also found the sneak peeks into how the different lords build their demesnes, from ice-age-like patches to tropical ones, so interesting!
What I didn’t like:
- Personally, I found the romance or the lack thereof a bit disappointing. All the key elements were there: surprising allies, forced proximity, a meddling ex-boyfriend… but sadly, it fizzled out a bit toward the end. I can easily see that there will be another book coming and that this one was only the build-up, though!
- I sometimes felt like the protagonist acted too cool and level-headed in dire situations or maybe I just couldn’t quite emotionally attach to her. I wished for a bit more tension and angst.
Writing style: 4/5
Characters: 4,5/5
Story & Plot: 4/5
Vibes: 4,5/5
Will I buy the physical copy: yes!
February 14, 2026
4.5
“Crickets chirped in the tall grass, and the wind blew soft against my skin, smelling like sage and soil. After three years in the human world the stars hardly looked real - the Wild Lands did have places where light pollution dimmed the sky, but out here it was wide and sparkling and unobstructed by buildings or trees. As tired and scared and frustrated as I was, even after a day that might ruin my life, I still couldn't help but be grateful for it all.”
When Poppy Hill was a child she was kidnapped by the Fae and taken to their realm, the Otherside. Poppy spent a century as a cook in the palace of the Wild Lands where she found friendship and love. Then as an adult she’s suddenly thrown back into the human world of Reality where she has to adjust to a modern world that progressed in her absence. Carter Lane provides a bridge, a place where the Returned can be observed and slowly reintegrated into the world and where deals can be made between humans and Fae. This is where Poppy has worked for the last few years as a negotiator of Faerie bargains, drawing up contracts and looking for loopholes. Yet when a bargain goes wrong and ends with an important figure being taken to the Otherside, Poppy must fix her mistake, return to the world she once lived in, and go on a rescue mission.
The Tricky Business of Faerie Bargains by Reena McCarty embarks you on a fun journey with a whip-smart protagonist and enters you into a world full of devious and tricksy Fae.
Our Poppy intrigued me from the very first chapter because her intentions and her loyalties were very ambiguous. Poppy is presented as a rather conflicted character who never felt like she completely fitted in either the human world of Reality or the Otherside. When she’s in the human realm she misses and longs for the familiarity of the Otherside, but then when she eventually goes back and faces the hardship and multiple dangers of the Fae realm, she misses the modern comforts and safety of her apartment. Throughout the narrative Poppy is always trying to find her place and purpose, and in order to do that, McCarty pushes Poppy to confront her childhood. Growing up in the Fae realm Poppy shared a closeness with her Fae friend, Sloan, it was a friendship that gave her love, warmth and companionship when she was vulnerable in an alien world. Yet with Poppy’s return to the Otherside in her adulthood, she realises that perhaps everything was not quite as it seemed. Their relationship was crafted in an emotional, often painful way, showing the good but also the toxic. It works to help Poppy mature, to show us that she’s intelligent, that she’s capable of facing hard truths and finally accept that no matter how nostalgic she feels, looking at your past through rose tinted glasses isn't the right way to grow. I truly appreciated this even when my heart felt Poppy’s loss.
The romance in this book was not heavy handed at all and was so well played out. Poppy not only comes face to face with her ex boyfriend Elan but she also has to deal with Theron, a Hunter. Here is where McCarty skirts around the borders of a love triangle but doesn’t fully commit. I was glad to discover that Poppy’s feelings are actually explored in more complex ways, once again demonstrating excellent character growth. Poppy doesn’t instantly forgive Elan, who hasn’t been in her life for several years since she left the Otherside. Yes she still loves him, still longs to be with him, but she also learns not to completely trust him and realises the things she’d have to sacrifice in order to be with him. I agreed with Poppy’s newfound cautiousness around Elan, but on the other hand, I loved Elan so much! I really enjoyed whenever his character appeared because his devious manner, his naughty dialogue and his quite comedic nature of course made me drawn to him. Theron, on the other hand, is kinder, more loyal and has more noble traits, which often made even Poppy feel guilty for some of her actions. There isn’t the usual instant love between them but there’s a friendship and definitely some growing feelings. However, McCarty doesn’t allow these men to overshadow Poppy’s personal journey and allows our protagonist to ultimately choose what’s best for her and her healing.
“There are Othersiders so beautiful it hurts to look at them, and there are those with faces that could peel paint. Elan fell somewhere in between. He had a wide forehead and narrow chin, thin lips and eyes set too far back in his head. His smile could be dazzling, but not if you didn't already love him.
But his voice could seduce a saint.”
I would not necessarily class this book in the cosy genre as we spend much time in the Otherside, a place full of trickery and peril, particularly for humans. I really loved McCarty’s worldbuilding here as the Otherside may be full of random magic, devious fae and different fae Courts, all of which I have encountered in many other fae fantasy books, but the realm of the fae would be devoid of creativity were it not for humans causing the fae world to diminish, which I found an exciting addition. I really enjoyed the way this linked the Otherside to the human realm of Reality as it created a dependency and a solid reason why the fae had a long history of kidnapping human children such as Poppy, other than just out of being malicious. Then McCarty adds more layers with the history between the Fae Courts, their wars with the Reality realm and the forming of the Grand Bargain, which would create a more protective and fairer way for humans to spend time in the Otherside as they went willingly in exchange for a special gift or favour. However the effect of this ultimately gave more power to the King of the Wild Lands and we all know how that goes. All these conflicts and political intrigues gently simmer away in the background until it becomes a bigger plot point revolving around Poppy who gets caught in the middle and her journey to finding her way out of the mess was absolutely hooking.
The Tricky Business of Faerie Bargains is a gripping, multifaceted tale, full of tricks, traps and shenanigans. Poppy is just an irresistible character to root for every step of the way.
“Some folks might call it giving up, but that never felt quite right. It was more like knowing when to stop kneading and wait for the dough to rise. Maybe later I'd be able to choose a direction. I might make rolls, or loaves, or spread the dough with cinnamon and sugar, or dried fruits or herbs or a dozen other things. Maybe I made a mistake somewhere earlier and the dough wouldn't rise at all. No way to know, nothing to do but wait. It might even look like being brave.”
ARC provided by Nazia at Orbit Books in exchange for an honest review—thank you for the copy! All quotes used are taken from an early ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
The Tricky Business of Faerie Bargains is out 7th April 2026
“Crickets chirped in the tall grass, and the wind blew soft against my skin, smelling like sage and soil. After three years in the human world the stars hardly looked real - the Wild Lands did have places where light pollution dimmed the sky, but out here it was wide and sparkling and unobstructed by buildings or trees. As tired and scared and frustrated as I was, even after a day that might ruin my life, I still couldn't help but be grateful for it all.”
When Poppy Hill was a child she was kidnapped by the Fae and taken to their realm, the Otherside. Poppy spent a century as a cook in the palace of the Wild Lands where she found friendship and love. Then as an adult she’s suddenly thrown back into the human world of Reality where she has to adjust to a modern world that progressed in her absence. Carter Lane provides a bridge, a place where the Returned can be observed and slowly reintegrated into the world and where deals can be made between humans and Fae. This is where Poppy has worked for the last few years as a negotiator of Faerie bargains, drawing up contracts and looking for loopholes. Yet when a bargain goes wrong and ends with an important figure being taken to the Otherside, Poppy must fix her mistake, return to the world she once lived in, and go on a rescue mission.
The Tricky Business of Faerie Bargains by Reena McCarty embarks you on a fun journey with a whip-smart protagonist and enters you into a world full of devious and tricksy Fae.
Our Poppy intrigued me from the very first chapter because her intentions and her loyalties were very ambiguous. Poppy is presented as a rather conflicted character who never felt like she completely fitted in either the human world of Reality or the Otherside. When she’s in the human realm she misses and longs for the familiarity of the Otherside, but then when she eventually goes back and faces the hardship and multiple dangers of the Fae realm, she misses the modern comforts and safety of her apartment. Throughout the narrative Poppy is always trying to find her place and purpose, and in order to do that, McCarty pushes Poppy to confront her childhood. Growing up in the Fae realm Poppy shared a closeness with her Fae friend, Sloan, it was a friendship that gave her love, warmth and companionship when she was vulnerable in an alien world. Yet with Poppy’s return to the Otherside in her adulthood, she realises that perhaps everything was not quite as it seemed. Their relationship was crafted in an emotional, often painful way, showing the good but also the toxic. It works to help Poppy mature, to show us that she’s intelligent, that she’s capable of facing hard truths and finally accept that no matter how nostalgic she feels, looking at your past through rose tinted glasses isn't the right way to grow. I truly appreciated this even when my heart felt Poppy’s loss.
The romance in this book was not heavy handed at all and was so well played out. Poppy not only comes face to face with her ex boyfriend Elan but she also has to deal with Theron, a Hunter. Here is where McCarty skirts around the borders of a love triangle but doesn’t fully commit. I was glad to discover that Poppy’s feelings are actually explored in more complex ways, once again demonstrating excellent character growth. Poppy doesn’t instantly forgive Elan, who hasn’t been in her life for several years since she left the Otherside. Yes she still loves him, still longs to be with him, but she also learns not to completely trust him and realises the things she’d have to sacrifice in order to be with him. I agreed with Poppy’s newfound cautiousness around Elan, but on the other hand, I loved Elan so much! I really enjoyed whenever his character appeared because his devious manner, his naughty dialogue and his quite comedic nature of course made me drawn to him. Theron, on the other hand, is kinder, more loyal and has more noble traits, which often made even Poppy feel guilty for some of her actions. There isn’t the usual instant love between them but there’s a friendship and definitely some growing feelings. However, McCarty doesn’t allow these men to overshadow Poppy’s personal journey and allows our protagonist to ultimately choose what’s best for her and her healing.
“There are Othersiders so beautiful it hurts to look at them, and there are those with faces that could peel paint. Elan fell somewhere in between. He had a wide forehead and narrow chin, thin lips and eyes set too far back in his head. His smile could be dazzling, but not if you didn't already love him.
But his voice could seduce a saint.”
I would not necessarily class this book in the cosy genre as we spend much time in the Otherside, a place full of trickery and peril, particularly for humans. I really loved McCarty’s worldbuilding here as the Otherside may be full of random magic, devious fae and different fae Courts, all of which I have encountered in many other fae fantasy books, but the realm of the fae would be devoid of creativity were it not for humans causing the fae world to diminish, which I found an exciting addition. I really enjoyed the way this linked the Otherside to the human realm of Reality as it created a dependency and a solid reason why the fae had a long history of kidnapping human children such as Poppy, other than just out of being malicious. Then McCarty adds more layers with the history between the Fae Courts, their wars with the Reality realm and the forming of the Grand Bargain, which would create a more protective and fairer way for humans to spend time in the Otherside as they went willingly in exchange for a special gift or favour. However the effect of this ultimately gave more power to the King of the Wild Lands and we all know how that goes. All these conflicts and political intrigues gently simmer away in the background until it becomes a bigger plot point revolving around Poppy who gets caught in the middle and her journey to finding her way out of the mess was absolutely hooking.
The Tricky Business of Faerie Bargains is a gripping, multifaceted tale, full of tricks, traps and shenanigans. Poppy is just an irresistible character to root for every step of the way.
“Some folks might call it giving up, but that never felt quite right. It was more like knowing when to stop kneading and wait for the dough to rise. Maybe later I'd be able to choose a direction. I might make rolls, or loaves, or spread the dough with cinnamon and sugar, or dried fruits or herbs or a dozen other things. Maybe I made a mistake somewhere earlier and the dough wouldn't rise at all. No way to know, nothing to do but wait. It might even look like being brave.”
ARC provided by Nazia at Orbit Books in exchange for an honest review—thank you for the copy! All quotes used are taken from an early ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
The Tricky Business of Faerie Bargains is out 7th April 2026
April 21, 2026
A girl who is taken from the human realm and raised in faerie is returned decades later and has to reassimilate in a world that now feels foreign to her as modern society has advanced and time passes differently in the faerie realm. She has to work at a law firm and tasked to look through faerie bargains to find any loopholes that could endanger clients.
Premise? LOVE. I wanted more from the faerie bargain/law firm aspect as I have just finished Severance and kind of love a workplace setting. But our FMC misses a loophole endangering her client and has to go into the faerie realm to try and get her back within the first 100 pages. We spend the rest of the story in faerie as the FMC crosses paths with people from her old life and gets tangled up in faerie politics.
I could probably have got down with this but the pre-established relationships that the FMC had with the two main side characters felt weak and I couldn't get invested. One of them is a close friend who she has to learn how to let go of the other is a previous romantic interest who I felt no chemistry with at all so their romance just didn't feel believable to me.
I liked the food descriptions and learning more about the faerie realm but it wasn't the cosy fantasy I was expecting. It felt more of a political drama in light fantasy setting. I'd read more from this author because overall I liked the concept and the journey of the FMC, but this felt a little flat at times because of my lack of engagement with the main relationships.
Premise? LOVE. I wanted more from the faerie bargain/law firm aspect as I have just finished Severance and kind of love a workplace setting. But our FMC misses a loophole endangering her client and has to go into the faerie realm to try and get her back within the first 100 pages. We spend the rest of the story in faerie as the FMC crosses paths with people from her old life and gets tangled up in faerie politics.
I could probably have got down with this but the pre-established relationships that the FMC had with the two main side characters felt weak and I couldn't get invested. One of them is a close friend who she has to learn how to let go of the other is a previous romantic interest who I felt no chemistry with at all so their romance just didn't feel believable to me.
I liked the food descriptions and learning more about the faerie realm but it wasn't the cosy fantasy I was expecting. It felt more of a political drama in light fantasy setting. I'd read more from this author because overall I liked the concept and the journey of the FMC, but this felt a little flat at times because of my lack of engagement with the main relationships.
April 9, 2026
the ebook arc expired just as I reached 75%
tbh I was really pushing through it
full review to come
tbh I was really pushing through it
full review to come
they-told-me-to-read-it
August 28, 2025This sounds adorable! Second chance romance. Faerie bargains and a magical bureaucracy! Yes please
April 13, 2026
The nitty-gritty: A woman must return to the faerie world she was thrown out of in this fun and twisty fantasy debut.
Books about faeries and the fae realm seem to be everywhere these days, so it’s nice to come across one that feels a little different. There are familiar elements in The Tricky Business of Faerie Bargains, but I also found parts of the world building to be unique as well. Reena McCarty’s debut takes the magical qualities of the faerie world and combines them with the practicalities of negotiating deals—in this case bargains between the fae and humans—and turns them into a high stakes, entertaining story.
Poppy Hill works for a law firm called Carter Lane, a company that brokers bargains between the fae and humans. She’s uniquely qualified for the job because she herself spent a hundred years in the Otherside, stolen as a child of five and forced to work as a cook for the Wild Court. Until one day, she suddenly finds herself back in the human world. Disoriented and confused—and missing her best friend Sloan and her boyfriend Elan—Poppy is told she must stay at the Carter Lane facilities for the next five years, learning how to live as a human and working for the company as well.
The story begins after Poppy has been back for a few years and has mastered the craft of reading over bargains to make sure there aren’t any loopholes. One day, however, she’s asked to do something unusual: make a verbal bargain with a woman named Dr. Albrecht who wants to sell her sense of taste in exchange for knowing every written and spoken human language. Poppy is nervous about the bargain, since there’s nothing in writing, and sure enough, she leaves out a very important clause. In order to rectify her mistake, Poppy must go to the Otherside and bring the woman back.
Unfortunately, crossing over to the Otherside isn’t as easy as it sounds. Once there, she must navigate a long, dangerous trek to find Dr. Albrecht, deal with her conflicting feelings about seeing Sloan and Elan again, and try to stay alive after finding herself in the middle of plot to kill the King of the Wild. And she has fourteen days to complete her task before she’s pulled back to the human realm once more.
One of my favorite world building elements was the way humans and fae have to work together in this world. The fae have no creative talents at all—they can’t do art, make music or even cook—and in order to enjoy all those things and more, they make bargains with humans, many of them involving servitude of some kind, where humans have to serve in the Otherside for a certain number of years. Both need something the other has, so it was an interesting, symbiotic dynamic. Not only that, but as the story progresses, you can see that faeries aren’t that different from humans. Life is hard, politics are complicated and bargains are literally everywhere. Poppy is torn between wanting her old life back, including her friendship with Sloan and Elan, the love of her life, and having a normal life back in Reality.
I liked Poppy a lot. She’s a smart girl (in her twenties, I think, since time moves differently in the Otherside) and she has the advantage of knowing the dangers she’ll face when she goes back. She manages to smuggle iron nails and salt over (both forbidden) in order to protect herself, and she knows the lay of the land well enough not to get lost. But she’s also vulnerable. She doesn’t really know how to handle her emotions, and seeing Elan and Sloan again throws her off her game. I also have to mention the cooking, which adds a nice cozy vibe to the story. Poppy is an expert, and it was fun to see her cook for the fae once she gets to the Otherside. It's sort of mind boggling that the fae can look at separate ingredients---eggs, flour and sugar---but they can't imagine combining them into something delicious like French toast:-)
The story is billed as romance, but it's a very small part of the story. Poppy is reunited with Elan—briefly—and he tries to reignite their relationship, but like most fae, Elan is selfish and only wants Poppy when it’s convenient for him. Luckily Poppy sees that, and despite still being in love with him, she’s also practical about it. I thought there was going to be a love triangle at one point, since Poppy meets someone else during her journey to find Dr. Albrecht, but it was a very slowly developing “maybe” type of romance that could possibly go somewhere if there’s a sequel.
The pacing is pretty good for the most part, although the story lags in places. I’ll admit I was bored at times, especially when the characters stop moving (the whole thing mostly reads like a quest/road trip story) and nothing really happens. Luckily these sections don’t go on too long. McCarty throws in a couple of twists in the last section and the momentum picked up after that.
I do have a small complaint that might seem nitpicky, but it confused me so much I have to bring it up. The story is told in Poppy’s first person voice, and McCarty’s writing is very good. But for some reason, a few times during Poppy’s dialog, her grammar takes a nosedive, and she says things like “It ain’t exactly been a priority in my studies” or “I’d love to know why you don’t got a horse.” It even weirder because the narrative doesn’t have any of these quirks. It’s one thing to have a character use this grammar throughout, and another to only add it in a few times. I’d love to know why the author made this choice, or perhaps it was meant to be taken out in the final version of the book. In any case, it really pulled me out of the story.
The book isn’t listed as the start of a series on Goodreads, but it certainly ends like one! I’m hoping that Poppy’s adventures aren't over yet, because I’d love to see what happens next.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
Books about faeries and the fae realm seem to be everywhere these days, so it’s nice to come across one that feels a little different. There are familiar elements in The Tricky Business of Faerie Bargains, but I also found parts of the world building to be unique as well. Reena McCarty’s debut takes the magical qualities of the faerie world and combines them with the practicalities of negotiating deals—in this case bargains between the fae and humans—and turns them into a high stakes, entertaining story.
Poppy Hill works for a law firm called Carter Lane, a company that brokers bargains between the fae and humans. She’s uniquely qualified for the job because she herself spent a hundred years in the Otherside, stolen as a child of five and forced to work as a cook for the Wild Court. Until one day, she suddenly finds herself back in the human world. Disoriented and confused—and missing her best friend Sloan and her boyfriend Elan—Poppy is told she must stay at the Carter Lane facilities for the next five years, learning how to live as a human and working for the company as well.
The story begins after Poppy has been back for a few years and has mastered the craft of reading over bargains to make sure there aren’t any loopholes. One day, however, she’s asked to do something unusual: make a verbal bargain with a woman named Dr. Albrecht who wants to sell her sense of taste in exchange for knowing every written and spoken human language. Poppy is nervous about the bargain, since there’s nothing in writing, and sure enough, she leaves out a very important clause. In order to rectify her mistake, Poppy must go to the Otherside and bring the woman back.
Unfortunately, crossing over to the Otherside isn’t as easy as it sounds. Once there, she must navigate a long, dangerous trek to find Dr. Albrecht, deal with her conflicting feelings about seeing Sloan and Elan again, and try to stay alive after finding herself in the middle of plot to kill the King of the Wild. And she has fourteen days to complete her task before she’s pulled back to the human realm once more.
One of my favorite world building elements was the way humans and fae have to work together in this world. The fae have no creative talents at all—they can’t do art, make music or even cook—and in order to enjoy all those things and more, they make bargains with humans, many of them involving servitude of some kind, where humans have to serve in the Otherside for a certain number of years. Both need something the other has, so it was an interesting, symbiotic dynamic. Not only that, but as the story progresses, you can see that faeries aren’t that different from humans. Life is hard, politics are complicated and bargains are literally everywhere. Poppy is torn between wanting her old life back, including her friendship with Sloan and Elan, the love of her life, and having a normal life back in Reality.
I liked Poppy a lot. She’s a smart girl (in her twenties, I think, since time moves differently in the Otherside) and she has the advantage of knowing the dangers she’ll face when she goes back. She manages to smuggle iron nails and salt over (both forbidden) in order to protect herself, and she knows the lay of the land well enough not to get lost. But she’s also vulnerable. She doesn’t really know how to handle her emotions, and seeing Elan and Sloan again throws her off her game. I also have to mention the cooking, which adds a nice cozy vibe to the story. Poppy is an expert, and it was fun to see her cook for the fae once she gets to the Otherside. It's sort of mind boggling that the fae can look at separate ingredients---eggs, flour and sugar---but they can't imagine combining them into something delicious like French toast:-)
The story is billed as romance, but it's a very small part of the story. Poppy is reunited with Elan—briefly—and he tries to reignite their relationship, but like most fae, Elan is selfish and only wants Poppy when it’s convenient for him. Luckily Poppy sees that, and despite still being in love with him, she’s also practical about it. I thought there was going to be a love triangle at one point, since Poppy meets someone else during her journey to find Dr. Albrecht, but it was a very slowly developing “maybe” type of romance that could possibly go somewhere if there’s a sequel.
The pacing is pretty good for the most part, although the story lags in places. I’ll admit I was bored at times, especially when the characters stop moving (the whole thing mostly reads like a quest/road trip story) and nothing really happens. Luckily these sections don’t go on too long. McCarty throws in a couple of twists in the last section and the momentum picked up after that.
I do have a small complaint that might seem nitpicky, but it confused me so much I have to bring it up. The story is told in Poppy’s first person voice, and McCarty’s writing is very good. But for some reason, a few times during Poppy’s dialog, her grammar takes a nosedive, and she says things like “It ain’t exactly been a priority in my studies” or “I’d love to know why you don’t got a horse.” It even weirder because the narrative doesn’t have any of these quirks. It’s one thing to have a character use this grammar throughout, and another to only add it in a few times. I’d love to know why the author made this choice, or perhaps it was meant to be taken out in the final version of the book. In any case, it really pulled me out of the story.
The book isn’t listed as the start of a series on Goodreads, but it certainly ends like one! I’m hoping that Poppy’s adventures aren't over yet, because I’d love to see what happens next.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
April 9, 2026
You must always make sure you word your bargains perfectly…or else.
This book is such a different take on fae then other books which makes it stand out in an epic way. I’m always drawn to stories that are different and unique. The world, the types of fae and the history the author created feels closer the lore you read from books written long ago. I found it interesting that the Fae in this story are unable to exist without humans. They need them to create everything. From cooking to art to clothes to building anything. You also can’t bring anything that is not natural or handmade into the Otherside, it will disintegrate or turn into goo. Very fascinating world. This story is full of danger, court/human politics and betrayals.
Poppy is our FMC who works on making sure Faerie bargain contracts are ironclad. As a returnee from the Otherside, she must learn how to exist in Reality aka the Human world, and work for 3 years for Carter Lane. She longs to go back to the Otherside and she gets her wish. She finds her way back to the Otherside to try bring back Dr. Albrecht before everything comes crashing down in Reality.
Poppy definitely gets put through the wringer. She runs into her ex, her best friend is not who she thinks she is and gets kidnapped by a hunter. Her life is put in danger multiple times all because of a long game bargain made. Nothing is as it seems. Truths are revealed, major betrayals, murder and much more. Poppy now longs for her simple apartment in Carter Lane.
Thank you to the author, @orbitbooks @redhook and @netgalley for this gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is such a different take on fae then other books which makes it stand out in an epic way. I’m always drawn to stories that are different and unique. The world, the types of fae and the history the author created feels closer the lore you read from books written long ago. I found it interesting that the Fae in this story are unable to exist without humans. They need them to create everything. From cooking to art to clothes to building anything. You also can’t bring anything that is not natural or handmade into the Otherside, it will disintegrate or turn into goo. Very fascinating world. This story is full of danger, court/human politics and betrayals.
Poppy is our FMC who works on making sure Faerie bargain contracts are ironclad. As a returnee from the Otherside, she must learn how to exist in Reality aka the Human world, and work for 3 years for Carter Lane. She longs to go back to the Otherside and she gets her wish. She finds her way back to the Otherside to try bring back Dr. Albrecht before everything comes crashing down in Reality.
Poppy definitely gets put through the wringer. She runs into her ex, her best friend is not who she thinks she is and gets kidnapped by a hunter. Her life is put in danger multiple times all because of a long game bargain made. Nothing is as it seems. Truths are revealed, major betrayals, murder and much more. Poppy now longs for her simple apartment in Carter Lane.
Thank you to the author, @orbitbooks @redhook and @netgalley for this gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 14, 2026
This story was a nice twist on a classic faerie bargains. This was a great blend of cozy, whimsical, and low stakes fantasy.
Poppy lived a century on the other side but now works for a law firm brokering faerie bargains. After an unauthorized bargain doesn't go as planned poppy must go other side to fix it. Relationships are tested, people aren't who you thought they were, and along the way Poppy realizes she might be a little broken. A great fantasy read!
Thank you orbit for the gifted ebook.
Poppy lived a century on the other side but now works for a law firm brokering faerie bargains. After an unauthorized bargain doesn't go as planned poppy must go other side to fix it. Relationships are tested, people aren't who you thought they were, and along the way Poppy realizes she might be a little broken. A great fantasy read!
Thank you orbit for the gifted ebook.
May 6, 2026
Hmm. I think that the cheeky title and cozy/romantasy cover are slightly out of alignment with the contents of this book, but I'm also not 100% sure where I'd shelf it either. 3/5
This is a story about a woman who was traumatized by being kidnapped and forced to cook in Faerie for 100 years and now is back in the human world, out of time and with everyone she ever knew dead. She never really learned human culture or how to have real friendships, all she knows is how to cook. And while there are some romantic feelings you can read into during the story, there's nothing on page or really explored in the text.
I guess, for me, this was just a very simple story in a >400 pg package when it could've been a novella. And though the majority of the time is spent in the otherlands, I didn't get a real sense of the magic of the place-- the seasons, the flora, the fauna, the clothing, the technology, the transportation, the culture, anything. Mostly I feel like it was described as 1. a lot of bland food (because they need humans to be creative) and 2. having to bargain as a means to get around.
So apart from the bargains and faeries' inability to lie, this could've been a wholly non-Fantasy story and barely have changed. If she had loved cooking and we really get a sense of the flavours and passion for food I would definitely say it was cozy, but she didn't love cooking. She was a child slave who was forced to cook under traumatic conditions for 100 years and it never seems like something she finds joy in, just something she's competent at and quick to critique anything that doesn't meet her threshold.
Overall I think I got to know Poppy quite well, and I don't mind the ending, but not sure the audience I'd recommend this for.
Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a story about a woman who was traumatized by being kidnapped and forced to cook in Faerie for 100 years and now is back in the human world, out of time and with everyone she ever knew dead. She never really learned human culture or how to have real friendships, all she knows is how to cook. And while there are some romantic feelings you can read into during the story, there's nothing on page or really explored in the text.
I guess, for me, this was just a very simple story in a >400 pg package when it could've been a novella. And though the majority of the time is spent in the otherlands, I didn't get a real sense of the magic of the place-- the seasons, the flora, the fauna, the clothing, the technology, the transportation, the culture, anything. Mostly I feel like it was described as 1. a lot of bland food (because they need humans to be creative) and 2. having to bargain as a means to get around.
So apart from the bargains and faeries' inability to lie, this could've been a wholly non-Fantasy story and barely have changed. If she had loved cooking and we really get a sense of the flavours and passion for food I would definitely say it was cozy, but she didn't love cooking. She was a child slave who was forced to cook under traumatic conditions for 100 years and it never seems like something she finds joy in, just something she's competent at and quick to critique anything that doesn't meet her threshold.
Overall I think I got to know Poppy quite well, and I don't mind the ending, but not sure the audience I'd recommend this for.
Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 13, 2026
“happy. of course i was happy. there was no other choice.”
the tricky business of faerie bargains is a modern-day answer to the evergreen “faerie bargain gone wrong” story, set in a world where governments have legislated human-faerie contact and bargains are brokered by companies. poppy hill works for one such company, using her experience with the fae to find loopholes in contracts in exchange for an education on a world that has changed drastically since she was stolen from her family’s montana homestead over a century ago. when an under-the-table bargain goes very wrong, poppy is forced to return to the world where she grew up and reckon with the woman she is, was, and wants to be.
maybe this just wasn’t the book for me, because i was not charmed or enchanted or even particularly interested in picking it up at any point. i like the concept of a company that brokers faerie bargains and rehabilitates returnees in exchange for their expertise, and i was intrigued by the exploration of how growing up otherside skewed poppy’s view of relationships, but the execution just didn’t land for me. i was never invested in poppy (or anyone else) and the writing landed a little flat and dry (to be fair, mccarty had a lot of worldbuilding and setup to cover in not much space).
one trend that did irk me (warning for mild spoilers, i guess?) is that while i am HERE for a compelling female villain, i do start to side eye a book when pretty much every notable female character other than the MC is an antagonist while the equivalent male characters are decent. on a somewhat related note, the faerie characterization felt inconsistent depending on the character and the needs of the story at any given the moment.
honestly, if the concept intrigues you, i would recommend giving this one a try despite my rating. it wasn’t for me but i think other readers might connect with it more!
i received an ARC from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
rating: 3.25/5.0 stars
May 8, 2026
This was a really funny book about faerie bargains and the girl that just wants to find her place in the world. I really love the world that Reena McCarty created with human and faeries change bussiness together. The faeries are deathly but some have more ideals that others. Also I enjoy that the centre of the book is not about the love life of Poppy, is in her journey.
Poppy is one of the many that were kidnapped by faeries, and when she finally return to human world she do not know how to adjust. She missed her time in Otherside and hopes that the bargins she made are the ticket to get her back. When she have the opportunity to go back she understand that everything is different.
I really liked Poppy and that she does not trust the first she meets. The book deals with her toxic friendship with one of the faeries, how she used Poppy for her means. I really enjoy the Hunter and the way he cares about human lifes and change the way of the faerie lands. Really curious to see if the writer will explore more about this world, because it seems that this is just the start of a big adventure.
Poppy is one of the many that were kidnapped by faeries, and when she finally return to human world she do not know how to adjust. She missed her time in Otherside and hopes that the bargins she made are the ticket to get her back. When she have the opportunity to go back she understand that everything is different.
I really liked Poppy and that she does not trust the first she meets. The book deals with her toxic friendship with one of the faeries, how she used Poppy for her means. I really enjoy the Hunter and the way he cares about human lifes and change the way of the faerie lands. Really curious to see if the writer will explore more about this world, because it seems that this is just the start of a big adventure.
March 29, 2026
I’m a bit conflicted rating this because from the premise I thought it was going to be a whimsy and romantic fantasy, however it did not feel like that at all.
In this story we follow Poppy as she works to help other humans be safe while bargaining with fairies. However one day, a bargain goes wrong and Poppy finds herself back into the “otherside”. Between exes, friends and political struggles will Poppy be able to fix her mistake?
My biggest issue with this book was that I did not care for any of the characters and I felt like the relationship/friendships felt a bit superficial. The love triangle didn’t feel believable at all. I did enjoy the politics that were going on and how fairies were in general in this story, but the rest didn’t convince me 100%.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
In this story we follow Poppy as she works to help other humans be safe while bargaining with fairies. However one day, a bargain goes wrong and Poppy finds herself back into the “otherside”. Between exes, friends and political struggles will Poppy be able to fix her mistake?
My biggest issue with this book was that I did not care for any of the characters and I felt like the relationship/friendships felt a bit superficial. The love triangle didn’t feel believable at all. I did enjoy the politics that were going on and how fairies were in general in this story, but the rest didn’t convince me 100%.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 8, 2026
BLURB:
Poppy Hill works in faerie contract law, regulating dangerous bargains between humans and fae. When a deal goes wrong, she’s forced back into the faerie realm she once escaped. There she’s forced to confront her past, navigate shifting loyalties, and survive in a world where every choice comes with a cost and nothing is ever what it seems.
REVIEW:
This debut novel really stands out for its originality—it’s a character-driven urban/portal fantasy with fae bargains, magical contracts, and parallel worlds where what you say REALLY matters. What this isn’t is a Romantasy—while there’s tension between ex-lovers and other “romantic possibilities” that are brief and closed-door, the book focuses more on the quest and world-building. And if you enjoy “fish-out-of-water” and “be careful what you wish for” stories that aren’t overly complex or long, this one’s an easy binge read!
Told entirely through Poppy’s POV, you get to know her inner workings, wit, and backstory really well. While it starts in the human world and we get to know her coworkers and the faerie bargains she’s involved in, a major conflict happens early on to thrust her back into the faerie world. Here, her inner dialogue becomes more compelling as she relives flashbacks and travels through lands both familiar and foreign to her. Her reunion with her ex, Elan, is full of red flags—he, like all the fae, is a complex being who can’t entirely be trusted—so you may be on the fence about a rekindled romance. The world-building begins fairly simple but gets richer as Poppy travels deeper into faerie territory, winding through roads and backroads and becoming entangled in political tensions and dangerous conflicts. Add in eccentric side characters, including nefarious bargainers, an unconventional hunter, a corrupt king, and Poppy’s best fae friend Sloan, and the story becomes intricate.
Even with some uneven pacing, there’s a nice balance of action, banter, and introspective moments where Poppy processes what’s happening and is forced to make risky decisions. The banter between Poppy and Sloan—especially when she visits her in dreams—is especially intriguing, and her interactions with her ex and the hunter keep things fresh and unpredictable. Be prepared for unexpected twists that will elicit emotional reactions during the climax—and remember that we’re dealing with fae here, so expect the unexpected! The ending gives enough resolution for this to work as a standalone but also leaves unanswered questions that make a sequel very possible—and let’s hope one does come, because there’s so much of the fae world left to explore, and you’ll want to spend more time with these characters!
If you enjoy portal fantasy, fae parallel worlds, and stories about rule-bound magic with consequences, add this to your list. And do yourself a favor and get a copy of the audio to pair with the beautiful physical copy, as the incredibly talented Barrie Kreinik brings the characters and world-building vividly to life in a truly cinematic performance!
Poppy Hill works in faerie contract law, regulating dangerous bargains between humans and fae. When a deal goes wrong, she’s forced back into the faerie realm she once escaped. There she’s forced to confront her past, navigate shifting loyalties, and survive in a world where every choice comes with a cost and nothing is ever what it seems.
REVIEW:
This debut novel really stands out for its originality—it’s a character-driven urban/portal fantasy with fae bargains, magical contracts, and parallel worlds where what you say REALLY matters. What this isn’t is a Romantasy—while there’s tension between ex-lovers and other “romantic possibilities” that are brief and closed-door, the book focuses more on the quest and world-building. And if you enjoy “fish-out-of-water” and “be careful what you wish for” stories that aren’t overly complex or long, this one’s an easy binge read!
Told entirely through Poppy’s POV, you get to know her inner workings, wit, and backstory really well. While it starts in the human world and we get to know her coworkers and the faerie bargains she’s involved in, a major conflict happens early on to thrust her back into the faerie world. Here, her inner dialogue becomes more compelling as she relives flashbacks and travels through lands both familiar and foreign to her. Her reunion with her ex, Elan, is full of red flags—he, like all the fae, is a complex being who can’t entirely be trusted—so you may be on the fence about a rekindled romance. The world-building begins fairly simple but gets richer as Poppy travels deeper into faerie territory, winding through roads and backroads and becoming entangled in political tensions and dangerous conflicts. Add in eccentric side characters, including nefarious bargainers, an unconventional hunter, a corrupt king, and Poppy’s best fae friend Sloan, and the story becomes intricate.
Even with some uneven pacing, there’s a nice balance of action, banter, and introspective moments where Poppy processes what’s happening and is forced to make risky decisions. The banter between Poppy and Sloan—especially when she visits her in dreams—is especially intriguing, and her interactions with her ex and the hunter keep things fresh and unpredictable. Be prepared for unexpected twists that will elicit emotional reactions during the climax—and remember that we’re dealing with fae here, so expect the unexpected! The ending gives enough resolution for this to work as a standalone but also leaves unanswered questions that make a sequel very possible—and let’s hope one does come, because there’s so much of the fae world left to explore, and you’ll want to spend more time with these characters!
If you enjoy portal fantasy, fae parallel worlds, and stories about rule-bound magic with consequences, add this to your list. And do yourself a favor and get a copy of the audio to pair with the beautiful physical copy, as the incredibly talented Barrie Kreinik brings the characters and world-building vividly to life in a truly cinematic performance!
March 28, 2026
3.5 stars! A cozy fantasy with a sharper edge. If you like books with fae bargains, sinister elements, lots of plot twists, and a whimsical atmosphere, this book is for you.
Loved that it was full of court politics and magical bureaucracy which left an undertone of tension throughout the entire book. You never really know who to trust.
That being said, I did have some issues with execution. The plot itself felt repetitive and a bit convoluted at times. I struggled to connect to some of the characters and the ending felt a bit abrupt after a long build up.
But overall, a nice dark and whimsical debut!
Loved that it was full of court politics and magical bureaucracy which left an undertone of tension throughout the entire book. You never really know who to trust.
That being said, I did have some issues with execution. The plot itself felt repetitive and a bit convoluted at times. I struggled to connect to some of the characters and the ending felt a bit abrupt after a long build up.
But overall, a nice dark and whimsical debut!
April 29, 2026
3.75 ☆ Loved the idea of the book. It was the first time I’d read something with this kind of storyline, and I really liked how the plot surprised me with the direction it took. I would have loved a bit more background and deeper character development, since everything moved a bit fast and a lot of things were told to us rather than shown. Because of that, I couldn’t fully appreciate the plot twists, as I didn’t know enough beforehand to form my own theories. Also, the ending didn’t quite do it for me. I hope this is the first in a series—if so, I might continue it for one specific character (not the main one).
May 13, 2026
(3,5) Fades malparides, dramàtiques i tramposes???? Sisplau gràcies.
April 21, 2026
I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for granting me an ARC of this book! It’s a very strong debut novel that charmed me in so many ways.
If you like being swept away into a new world and love anything related to the faery folk, this book is for you!
Poppy Hill was kidnapped as a child and spent over a century in the fae realm, working in the Wild King’s castle. Now back in the human world, she reviews faerie bargains for loopholes. When one deal goes badly wrong, she must return to the fae realm to fix it, facing danger, intrigue, and an inconvenient ex along the way.
The writing, while beautiful and rich in its depiction of scenery and landscapes, felt heavy at times. I usually enjoy long, information-filled sentences, but here they sometimes made things harder to follow. I lost the meaning more times than I can count due to the overuse of commas and dashes. The Tricky Business of Faerie Bargains already has a complex and well-developed world, and the weight of the sentences didn’t always make it easier to navigate.
The plot was surprising. I was able to guess one element from the beginning, but aside from that, I was genuinely surprised by how the story unfolded, I didn’t see it coming at all.
If you’re looking for a romance-heavy plot, the romance is almost non-existent, which didn’t bother me. There are a few subtle hints of affection between two characters, but it remains quite understated. I did enjoy both characters on their own, even if the chemistry between them didn’t fully come through for me.
I wouldn’t describe this book as cosy fantasy, given its heavy political setting filled with betrayal and the ruthlessness of the Otherside. The “cooking” element adds a touch of slice-of-life charm and brings in a slower-paced feel, but for me, it didn’t stand out as much, and I’m not sure the story would have changed significantly without it.
Poppy is a very endearing FMC who was easy to love and follow. She has to make some very difficult choices throughout the story, and while I sometimes wished she would think more about herself
What made me love this book is the world created by Reena McCarty! I’m a sucker for faeries, and the concept of an office handling bargains between humans and them is brilliant.
It was so exciting to read about how everything works and how it came to be that humans need lawyers to manage these arrangements. I also really enjoyed everything related to the relationship between the fae world and the human one, as well as the complex dynamics between the different Courts within the fae world itself.
If you like being swept away into a new world and love anything related to the faery folk, this book is for you!
Poppy Hill was kidnapped as a child and spent over a century in the fae realm, working in the Wild King’s castle. Now back in the human world, she reviews faerie bargains for loopholes. When one deal goes badly wrong, she must return to the fae realm to fix it, facing danger, intrigue, and an inconvenient ex along the way.
The writing, while beautiful and rich in its depiction of scenery and landscapes, felt heavy at times. I usually enjoy long, information-filled sentences, but here they sometimes made things harder to follow. I lost the meaning more times than I can count due to the overuse of commas and dashes. The Tricky Business of Faerie Bargains already has a complex and well-developed world, and the weight of the sentences didn’t always make it easier to navigate.
The plot was surprising. I was able to guess one element from the beginning, but aside from that, I was genuinely surprised by how the story unfolded, I didn’t see it coming at all.
If you’re looking for a romance-heavy plot, the romance is almost non-existent, which didn’t bother me. There are a few subtle hints of affection between two characters, but it remains quite understated. I did enjoy both characters on their own, even if the chemistry between them didn’t fully come through for me.
I wouldn’t describe this book as cosy fantasy, given its heavy political setting filled with betrayal and the ruthlessness of the Otherside. The “cooking” element adds a touch of slice-of-life charm and brings in a slower-paced feel, but for me, it didn’t stand out as much, and I’m not sure the story would have changed significantly without it.
Poppy is a very endearing FMC who was easy to love and follow. She has to make some very difficult choices throughout the story, and while I sometimes wished she would think more about herself
What made me love this book is the world created by Reena McCarty! I’m a sucker for faeries, and the concept of an office handling bargains between humans and them is brilliant.
It was so exciting to read about how everything works and how it came to be that humans need lawyers to manage these arrangements. I also really enjoyed everything related to the relationship between the fae world and the human one, as well as the complex dynamics between the different Courts within the fae world itself.
October 21, 2025
There is simply not enough time or space for me to say everything I loved about this book. This had Holly Black-level Fae, T Kingfisher-level plotting, and Naomi Novik-level wit. It was as if Heather Fawcett and Holly Black had a book baby with the perfect blend of contemporary and high fantasy. But that still doesn't cover it! I just don't know how to communicate what a breath of fresh air this book is. I have been so overloaded with repetitive tropes and predictable plots this year. This book threw it all out the window.
We have a main character who was stolen by the Fae as a child, then returned to our world over a century later. Poppy lived in frontier-era Montana and now has to learn how to use a computer and take classes to understand pop culture. Just when she's starting to find her footing in modern times, disaster strikes and she has to dive back into the Otherside to try and fix a Faerie bargain gone wrong.
One of the things I loved most was how romance was handled. Poppy reconnects with her former boyfriend, but she finds she can't simply pick up where they left off. A Hunter takes her prisoner and there's certainly something there, but the situation is complicated. It dances around becoming a love triangle without falling into overused storylines--and that made me so happy.
And the ending. THE ENDING. I really don't want to give anything away, but it's built up so well. So many little bits of excellent foreshadowing, and I was still completely blindsided. I love it and I want more.
We have a main character who was stolen by the Fae as a child, then returned to our world over a century later. Poppy lived in frontier-era Montana and now has to learn how to use a computer and take classes to understand pop culture. Just when she's starting to find her footing in modern times, disaster strikes and she has to dive back into the Otherside to try and fix a Faerie bargain gone wrong.
One of the things I loved most was how romance was handled. Poppy reconnects with her former boyfriend, but she finds she can't simply pick up where they left off. A Hunter takes her prisoner and there's certainly something there, but the situation is complicated. It dances around becoming a love triangle without falling into overused storylines--and that made me so happy.
And the ending. THE ENDING. I really don't want to give anything away, but it's built up so well. So many little bits of excellent foreshadowing, and I was still completely blindsided. I love it and I want more.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Eek! I loved this! Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for providing me with an ARC.
A sharp, chaotic fae fantasy about bargains, belonging, and what happens when you can’t fully belong to either world.
Poppy is a changeling who grew up in the Fae Realm and is returned to the human world after 100 years. Now living among humans again, she works for a company that negotiates bargains between humans and the fae, using her firsthand knowledge of the Otherside to help avoid dangerous loopholes. But when a bargain goes disastrously wrong, Poppy is forced to return to the Otherside to fix her mistake — and face the world, and people, she left behind.
At first, I struggled slightly to visualise the world, and I would have loved a bit more depth in the worldbuilding so I could fully see what the author envisioned. That said, once I settled into the story, I found myself completely absorbed. I love when fae are truly fae — strange, ethereal, unsettling, and distinctly not human — and this book absolutely delivers on that front.
One of my favourite aspects was the constant sense of uncertainty. I never felt entirely sure who to trust or where the story was heading, which kept me eagerly turning the pages. The pacing dipped a little in the middle, and the ending felt slightly rushed, but I’m really hoping this means there’s more to come because I need answers — and I definitely need more Theron.
If you love cozy fantasy with a sharp edge, tricky fae, magical bureaucracy, and political intrigue, this is well worth picking up. Mischievous, dangerous fae are some of my favourite to read about, and this one hit the spot for me.
A sharp, chaotic fae fantasy about bargains, belonging, and what happens when you can’t fully belong to either world.
Poppy is a changeling who grew up in the Fae Realm and is returned to the human world after 100 years. Now living among humans again, she works for a company that negotiates bargains between humans and the fae, using her firsthand knowledge of the Otherside to help avoid dangerous loopholes. But when a bargain goes disastrously wrong, Poppy is forced to return to the Otherside to fix her mistake — and face the world, and people, she left behind.
At first, I struggled slightly to visualise the world, and I would have loved a bit more depth in the worldbuilding so I could fully see what the author envisioned. That said, once I settled into the story, I found myself completely absorbed. I love when fae are truly fae — strange, ethereal, unsettling, and distinctly not human — and this book absolutely delivers on that front.
One of my favourite aspects was the constant sense of uncertainty. I never felt entirely sure who to trust or where the story was heading, which kept me eagerly turning the pages. The pacing dipped a little in the middle, and the ending felt slightly rushed, but I’m really hoping this means there’s more to come because I need answers — and I definitely need more Theron.
If you love cozy fantasy with a sharp edge, tricky fae, magical bureaucracy, and political intrigue, this is well worth picking up. Mischievous, dangerous fae are some of my favourite to read about, and this one hit the spot for me.
May 2, 2026
The fae stole Poppy Hill as a young child, forcing her to grow up as a cook in the king's castle. Decades later, Poppy works for a company in the human world that brokers fae bargains. A horrible deal gone wrong forces Poppy back to the land of the fae and her complicated past. She must rectify her mistake, journey deep into the realm, and deal with her pesky ex-boyfriend.
What a compelling concept! I haven't read a ton of faerie books beyond The Cruel Prince, so I was intrigued by the premise and the promise of closed door romance. My favorite part was the political intrigue. I truly had no idea how the story would unfold and what would happen next. Everyone is pretty morally grey here, which doesn't always sit well with me. Poppy spends a lot of the book unsure who to trust. I was rooting for Poppy and Poppy alone! I found this hard to put down.
However, I did not enjoy the romance. The characters didn't have a deep romantic connection, and I honestly wasn't rooting for Poppy to end up with anyone. I appreciated that this was closed door, but that doesn't automatically mean I'll like how the romance plays out. Also, Poppy was randomly unclothed for a whole scene and there was no reason for that. I mistakenly believed this was a standalone, but the ending clearly sets us up for another book. Would I read the next book? Possibly, but it wouldn't be far up my TBR.
All in all... interesting concept, but not a story that will stick with me.
What a compelling concept! I haven't read a ton of faerie books beyond The Cruel Prince, so I was intrigued by the premise and the promise of closed door romance. My favorite part was the political intrigue. I truly had no idea how the story would unfold and what would happen next. Everyone is pretty morally grey here, which doesn't always sit well with me. Poppy spends a lot of the book unsure who to trust. I was rooting for Poppy and Poppy alone! I found this hard to put down.
However, I did not enjoy the romance. The characters didn't have a deep romantic connection, and I honestly wasn't rooting for Poppy to end up with anyone. I appreciated that this was closed door, but that doesn't automatically mean I'll like how the romance plays out. Also, Poppy was randomly unclothed for a whole scene and there was no reason for that. I mistakenly believed this was a standalone, but the ending clearly sets us up for another book. Would I read the next book? Possibly, but it wouldn't be far up my TBR.
All in all... interesting concept, but not a story that will stick with me.
March 25, 2026
Thank you to Netgally and Orbit Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review
Poppy Hill was a child when she was taken from her home into the land of the fae in the late 1800’s. 3 years ago she was returned to the human world and has been working at a company that is the intermediary and brokers bargain between willing humans and the fae.
Her director comes to her to personally oversee a bargain on her own and off the books and it goes wrong. She decides she needs to go into the faerie world to get the human back safely and discovers she has entered into the middle of a very complex political situation that she gets herself in the middle of.
I honestly could not put this book down, I had such a wonderful time reading this. It had high stakes, political intrigue, the magic system was cool, and the plot was very fast paced. Poppy was such a compelling main character and I enjoyed her journey to set discovery. Some of the secondary characters felt a bit one dimensional and need to have more that a single personality trait but otherwise this was a really great book.
Poppy Hill was a child when she was taken from her home into the land of the fae in the late 1800’s. 3 years ago she was returned to the human world and has been working at a company that is the intermediary and brokers bargain between willing humans and the fae.
Her director comes to her to personally oversee a bargain on her own and off the books and it goes wrong. She decides she needs to go into the faerie world to get the human back safely and discovers she has entered into the middle of a very complex political situation that she gets herself in the middle of.
I honestly could not put this book down, I had such a wonderful time reading this. It had high stakes, political intrigue, the magic system was cool, and the plot was very fast paced. Poppy was such a compelling main character and I enjoyed her journey to set discovery. Some of the secondary characters felt a bit one dimensional and need to have more that a single personality trait but otherwise this was a really great book.
March 20, 2026
What an amazing book! First I want to thank Orbit and NetGalley for the gifted eARC
This story was refreshing and unique. I loved taking some of the more “traditional” faerie lore and reimagining it in a world where bargains are overseen as legal agreements. I was hooked from the beginning. I wasn’t sure what to expect when Poppy went to the Otherside - but we got a story full of court intrigue, betrayal, and a journey of self discovery.
The complicated relationships and Poppy going back to the one place she thought she should be, only to realize she may have outgrown it, made for a very compelling story. I was horrified for her as we heard more details of how those she was so close had treated her before she was originally returned. The book is written in a way that you’ll be guessing the whole time who to trust. The conclusion is somewhat open ended - so you’re left to imagine what comes next.
I would highly recommend this book!
This story was refreshing and unique. I loved taking some of the more “traditional” faerie lore and reimagining it in a world where bargains are overseen as legal agreements. I was hooked from the beginning. I wasn’t sure what to expect when Poppy went to the Otherside - but we got a story full of court intrigue, betrayal, and a journey of self discovery.
The complicated relationships and Poppy going back to the one place she thought she should be, only to realize she may have outgrown it, made for a very compelling story. I was horrified for her as we heard more details of how those she was so close had treated her before she was originally returned. The book is written in a way that you’ll be guessing the whole time who to trust. The conclusion is somewhat open ended - so you’re left to imagine what comes next.
I would highly recommend this book!
April 28, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
What a wonderful and original debut! I was expecing a cozy fae fantasy story and I feel like I got this but also so much more. There's a wonderful world (or actually two worlds - the human one and the faerie realm), a set of super interesting charachters (literally everyone is so different but equally fun to observe) and a dash of romance.
I feel like this book is a breath of fresh air and manages to stand out in its execution. The plot was original and really focused on adventure, romance, friendship. And really just finding yourself and your place in the world (which is especially difficult if two different worlds are your home).
Anyway, I also really loved Reena's writing style. This story was so easy to read, I had a hard time putting it down! Truly a story filled with lots of charm!
What a wonderful and original debut! I was expecing a cozy fae fantasy story and I feel like I got this but also so much more. There's a wonderful world (or actually two worlds - the human one and the faerie realm), a set of super interesting charachters (literally everyone is so different but equally fun to observe) and a dash of romance.
I feel like this book is a breath of fresh air and manages to stand out in its execution. The plot was original and really focused on adventure, romance, friendship. And really just finding yourself and your place in the world (which is especially difficult if two different worlds are your home).
Anyway, I also really loved Reena's writing style. This story was so easy to read, I had a hard time putting it down! Truly a story filled with lots of charm!
May 11, 2026
Unlike the cozy, almost human fae of many modern novels those of Reena McCarty's 'The Tricky Business of Faerie Bargains' have the feel of the Old Tales. Terrifying in their cunning, otherworldly in appearance and with a level of cruelty inherent to their nature. These fae won't be baking you any cakes, setting up magical tea shops or cat adoption centers. Frankly, I appreciated them more because of that simply because I've always loved the Welsh and Irish traditional faerie lore and McCarty's fae definitely have that feel.
I loved the complexity of the plotline and how it was more than an adventurous tale. There's a lot of political, bureaucratic, social and environmental commentary woven throughout. Colonialism, stealing lands, broken treaties. Poisoning water supplies and the land itself. Big Truths handled beautifully and woven into the narrative in numerous ways.
The ending left me feeling like there's so much more to come for Poppy and the rest of these characters. Will we get a sequel? I hope so because I need to know what happens next!
I loved the complexity of the plotline and how it was more than an adventurous tale. There's a lot of political, bureaucratic, social and environmental commentary woven throughout. Colonialism, stealing lands, broken treaties. Poisoning water supplies and the land itself. Big Truths handled beautifully and woven into the narrative in numerous ways.
The ending left me feeling like there's so much more to come for Poppy and the rest of these characters. Will we get a sequel? I hope so because I need to know what happens next!
April 14, 2026
I found this debut novel through an online community the author and I have in common. When she posted the summary, I was intrigued. When she revealed the cover, I was enchanted. I’m delighted that this book is as good as I hoped it would be.
A fresh take on fairy bargains, with luscious imagery from an author who clearly loves nature. This is the first of a duology, and I can’t wait for the next one!
A fresh take on fairy bargains, with luscious imagery from an author who clearly loves nature. This is the first of a duology, and I can’t wait for the next one!
May 8, 2026
There was nothing overtly wrong or bad about this book, but it was so tedious to get through. There are elements to it that I enjoyed individually - the migration of humans to get away from othersiders, how that affected the different realms, the bureaucratization of bargaining, how the othersiders were portrayed - but ultimately the plot itself just fell flat for me and I spent a lot of time just very bored.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC.
April 26, 2026
The writing was very descriptive and it pulled me out way too much. I was also expecting more romance but this was still endearing.
April 6, 2026
This book surpassed all my expectations I was not expecting to like this as much as I did.
The book had a combination of the world of The Cruel prince and a story line along the lines of Emily Wilde’s. The characters were wicked and of course they had to be it is they nature as fairies. Poppy’s journey back to fairyland was very interesting and the stakes were higher than she had anticipated.
But more than anything is the story about Poppy finding herself and discerning friends from foes.
💕Thanks orbit books and netgalley for the gifted eARC
The book had a combination of the world of The Cruel prince and a story line along the lines of Emily Wilde’s. The characters were wicked and of course they had to be it is they nature as fairies. Poppy’s journey back to fairyland was very interesting and the stakes were higher than she had anticipated.
But more than anything is the story about Poppy finding herself and discerning friends from foes.
💕Thanks orbit books and netgalley for the gifted eARC
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