A young woman bargains with a demon to save her brothers, only to lose her heart in this slow-burn romantasy about dark magic, unlikely love, and the imperfect beauty of mortality.
This stunning hardcover edition of Reap & Sow will feature deluxe embellishments, including a dazzling metallic jacket, full color printed edges, patterned end papers, and a specially designed case.
The penniless in Blackbridge have only two choices: Sell the body or sell the soul. And thanks to Eda Shaw, business is booming.
Indentured to a capricious demon known as Mr. Night, Eda and her brothers arrange illicit Pacts on his behalf, luring the city's most desperate into trading years of their lives for their deepest desires. When a Pact goes awry and her brothers are arrested, Eda realizes she’ll need an infernal ally of her own: Kit'rath, an infuriating demon with a curious penchant for humanity and the only being in Blackbridge that Mr. Night seems to fear. As they race to rescue her family and save the city from ruin, an undeniable connection sparks between mortal and demon.
But Kit's help doesn’t come cheap. Now, Eda risks losing her heart to the one who claims her years—and saving herself may prove the steepest cost of all.
Rich with gothic atmosphere, sharp wit, and simmering romantic tension, Reap & Sow is a fantasy debut perfect for fans of Rachel Gillig, Hannah Whitten, and Heather Fawcett.
Charlotte B. Plumb is a fantasy author living in the UK with her husband, cat, and slightly mad dog. She believes books are the closest anyone can get to real magic, and when she isn't daydreaming about fictional characters, she's at her laptop writing them—if the cat isn’t already sitting on it.
Some stories flirt with darkness. This one signs a contract in blood and asks you to read the fine print.
From the very first chapter, we’re dropped into the gothic gloom with Eda—desperate, determined, and just reckless enough to consider that making a pact with a demon might be a reasonable life choice. She needs to save her two brothers. The stakes? High. The atmosphere? Deliciously shadowed. The moral compass? Slightly… negotiable.
It’s an opening that hooks you by the collar and whispers, “Trust me, darling…” before vanishing into the mist. And yes—you’ll absolutely want more after that first chapter.
Eda’s journey is laced with witches, demons, long-buried truths, and the kind of found family that blooms in the most unexpected (and probably cursed) places. There’s something deeply satisfying about watching her forge new friendships while unravelling secrets that may cost her more than she bargained for. Because really—can you have it all? Salvation, love, power… and no consequences?
Let’s talk about the MMC. Because oh, we must.
He arrives wrapped in shadow and sarcasm, delivering dry, razor-sharp humour that had me laughing out loud more than once. The banter? Immaculate. Effortless. The kind that crackles on the page. And his persistent use of “Darling”? Absolutely swoon-worthy. It’s the verbal equivalent of a gloved hand tipped under your chin—charming, dangerous, and just a little bit mocking.
But make no mistake: in a story about demons, the devil is always in the details.
The magic system hints at rules, loopholes, and the fine print of infernal bargains. You can’t help but read carefully, searching for the catch. Because there is one. There’s always one. The tension doesn’t just come from looming threats—it comes from the creeping suspicion that someone, somewhere, hasn’t read the contract closely enough.
This book revels in its gothic setting: shadowed corridors, whispered truths, morally grey choices, and the intoxicating pull of power at a price. It balances humour with darkness beautifully, allowing moments of levity to slice through the gloom without ever undercutting the stakes.
So the question lingers long after you turn the page: If you were offered everything you ever wanted… would you check the details?
A wickedly fun, banter-filled, demon-infused tale that proves once again—trusting a devil is easy.
What a delightful book! I have an immense TBR but when I received an ARC of this book at bookcon - it somehow moved to the top of the list and I’m so glad it did.
If you like a gothic vibe, pacts, scheming, and snarky demons with a side of humanity - this is the book for you! The romance develops naturally and is well done and the ending 👀👀👀I can’t wait to see what develops there! I think this is going to be the next book everyone is talking about!
The one thing I must say before beginning this review is that I’m so grateful to have been able to participate in the Boutique Book Breaks reading retreat at Burley Manor last week. There’s nothing I like better than discovering a new author that I can get behind, especially when they write quality romantasy. This was made even more exciting by the fact that this book will not be released until October of this year so my inner book nerd was definitely very happy. But let’s talk about the book…
The vibes in this new world created by Charlotte Plumb are reminiscent of the gothic feeling of the Shepherd King duology. Wonderful characters, an original magic system and really good world building all combined in a well written tale that leaves you wanting more. Although it took about 80 pages for me to get fully absorbed in the story, once I was, I didn’t want to put it down. Unfortunately, life work and other reading commitments got in the way over the next couple of days, but each time I returned to it, I did so with a renewed sense of pleasure that I would be able to spend my time in the company of characters that I loved.
The main focus was, of course, on Eda. Her quest to save her brothers was the main driving force of the story but it is the involvement of an array of characters that gave this book a wider dimension. None of them are purely ‘white hat’. It is the range of morally grey to absolutely reprehensible (Florian springs to mind) that made “Reap & Sow” such a good read. Of course, the romance between Eda and Kit is one that will satisfy any reader that appreciates the genre. It was brimming with sensual undertones, snark and witty repartee that will have you kicking your feet. And then, of course, there are other notables characters such as Robin and Tripp whom I also loved.
From a romance perspective, this title sits in that nebulous space between YA and adult romantasy. While it included some spice (🌶️), it was well done, not overly graphic, and used to heighten the emotional core of the book (as opposed to being added for purely salacious purposes).
As with all good tales of this type, this one also goes beyond a romantic adventure and explores various themes. With aspects of Dr. Faustus blended with politics, power grabbing mixed with religious zealotry, some heart pumping action, and a clear warning to be ‘careful what you wish for’, it transcends simple escapism - if you choose to read deeper. Or it can be read as a gothic fairytale. The outcome lies in the eye (and mind) of the reader.
I mentioned at the beginning of this review how grateful I was to be able to read this book ahead of its release date. Unfortunately, after having finished it, I discovered a downside: that I will have to wait even longer in order to be able to read the final instalment of this duology. While it did not have a heart stopper of a cliffhanger, it did end on a mysterious note that left me wanting to know more. Maybe the author will take pity on this poor reader and send me the ARC of book 2 when she has finished it? 🤞🏻 Hope springs eternal.
A solid debut novel by an author that I’m looking forward to hearing more from.
I want to thank Rih from Penguin first for sending me this beautiful proof and for always knowing what I am going to love, because I really did love this book.
Eda and her brothers have spent their lives paying a debt to a demon that their father left behind when he passed. Encouraging desperate people to make a deal with Mr Night in return for years from their lives. And just when they are about to clear this debt, it all goes horribly wrong and Eda is left alone and desperate to make a deal of her own, to save her brothers.
Here enters Kit'rath/Kit, a demon who has been hiding in the human relm for the past twenty years, living in luxury and pretending he is nothing more than human. That changes when Eda finds him and asks him to make a pact with her, a deal he simply can't refuse and now they are working closely together to free her family.
This book is so much more than the pact they make. I feel like both Eda and Kit were searching for something they had never had before and they found it in eachother. These characters had so much depth to them, beneath all the bravado they put out to the world were two people who wanted more. It was incredible to read and I really took my time with it because I almost didn't want it to end.
Kit is HILARIOUS, he's so sassy to Eda and their flirtatious banter is what I craved, but to everyone else he was absolutely ruthless. Then there's Eda, she just wants to save her brothers but along the way she realises she also wants to be seen and heard and believe me when I say Kit sees her, the side he shows her is so beautiful 🥺💜.
Also, I loveeeeeee Tripp, he's so mean but its so funny and I want him in my life.
Loved every moment of this book, but after that last sentence I need book 2 now please Charlotte haha.
Reap and Sow is coming out in October and I'll be recommending this to EVERYONE 💜.
The vibes were immaculate, the writing was lovely, the cheekiness of the MMC is so so good, the world building was fresh, the various side characters were well-rounded, and I enjoyed the pacing of this story.
While this might be labelled as a romantasy, I feel this book is more a gothic (fairy?) tale with a dash of demons and magic. The story and characters are layered, multi-dimensional, flawed, and it was a joy to spend time in this world.
I cannot wait for everyone to enjoy this book!
Thank you to the author and Penguin Random House / House of YA for an ARC of this book! (The cover is GORGEOUS!)
Read for a reading retreat with Boutique Book Breaks.
4.5 stars! What a wonderful, clever and swoon-worthy Romantasy debut.
The setting and characters are gothic and this is perfect for an autumnal release, the baddies are layered and complex, our FMC is smart but also fallible and our MMC is very morally grey with a wicked mouth. I read a lot of Romantasy and this had me kicking my feet.
What I also love about this as well, is it’s right in the edge of young adult so there is spice but it’s well done and you have to wait for it as well! A very delicious book if you are thinking of dipping your toe into Romantasy with winged magical creatures and different worlds.
This was SO fun — between the absolutely defined worldbuilding and an enemies-to-lovers dynamic that evolves to a point of genuine earn, this book makes Plumb a new voice to watch. While this could definitely be slotted into the category of romantasy, it feels keenly darker and more violent than what often tends to be published in the subgenre; given the rules of the world, however, it feels absolutely necessary for the story to push into that kind of territory and only makes the stakes feel higher as the story progresses.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this edition from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I recently received a paperback copy of Reap and Sow by Charlotte B. Plumb through the Goodreads Giveaways program. However, the giveaway listing stated that winners would receive the “stunning hardcover edition.”
While I do appreciate receiving a complimentary book, I was disappointed that the edition sent did not match what was advertised. I believe it is important to honor the format that was promised to giveaway winners.
The ISBN number on the book reflects "hardcover edition", but no.
This book is magic. The writing is funny and sharp. The romance is top tier, absolutely zero notes. And the world built is gothic and dark and felt tangible.
Every romantasy lover, fantasy reader and thrill seeker needs to read this book!!!!!
I don’t think there’s a second book - everything is wrapped up nicely - but the last paragraph certainly hints at more. I’LL TAKE IT
This girl deserves everything this book brings her in the future! Congratulations Plumb! I loved the book and feel honoured that I was one of the first to read it before it become one of the biggest reads in 2026! 🥰💕
The characters in this book are sooo good. I absolutely love them. The back and forth between Eda and Kit was so great, I adore them, they're so funny. Kit has my whole heart, I literally love him so much!!! The yearning in this book… unmatched
We are NOT besties anymore. You DISGUST me with your incredible talent for beautiful storytelling and propulsive plots and lovable characters. DISGUST ME, do you hear???
My God, this book was such a ride. What a gorgeous, amazing, jawdropping display in gothic fantasy. Full of adorable banter (Kit, my love, my darling, MWAH MWAH MWAH), heartstopping romance, and Family Feels… omg this hit me so hard.
And can we talk about that cover? SEDATE ME. What a crazy crazy flex to be able to own this amazing work of art pre-release. Thank you SO MUCH Charlotte for gifting me a copy, and earning yourself a lifelong fan! Your entire stock is about to be mine when it comes out. The special editions have my name on them.
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REAP & SOW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Indentured to a capricious demon known as Mr. Night, Eda and her brothers arrange illicit Pacts on his behalf, luring the city’s most desperate into trading years of their lives for their deepest desires. When a Pact goes awry and her brothers are arrested, Eda realizes she’ll need an infernal ally of her own: Kit’rath, an infuriating demon with a curious penchant for humanity and the only being in Blackbridge that Mr. Night seems to fear. As they race to rescue her family and save the city from ruin, an undeniable connection sparks between mortal and demon.
But Kit’s help doesn’t come cheap. Now, Eda risks losing her heart to the one who claims her years—and saving herself may prove the steepest cost of all.