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Reap & Sow #1
Reap & Sow: Dämonenpakt - Das aufregendste Gothic Romantasy-Debüt des Jahres. (Reap-and-Sow-Reihe 1)
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.
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.
529 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 6, 2026
About the author
Charlotte B. Plumb
1 book439 followersCharlotte 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.
Her debut novel, REAP & SOW, is coming Oct 2026.
Her debut novel, REAP & SOW, is coming Oct 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,103 reviews
Did Not Finish
September 16, 2026I’m dnf’ing this at 48%
I don’t think the romance was done well. The chemistry wasn’t there, and the attraction was heavy handed. Everything felt forced. I’m weirdly forgiving of that stuff in contemporary romance but I don’t like to see this in romantasy.
When Kit info dumped his tragic past to Eda after knowing her for literally no time at all, I rolled my eyes. There was no reason for it either, he just started spilling his life story. Not the best way to tackle character exposition, imo.
I also didn’t like the writing, the dialogue or the characters (not even Kit). Honestly, I have zero desire to pick this back up.
I tried but it’s not for me!
✎ᝰ. pre-read: i too would make a pact with a hot demon
💌 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley XO for the arc!
I don’t think the romance was done well. The chemistry wasn’t there, and the attraction was heavy handed. Everything felt forced. I’m weirdly forgiving of that stuff in contemporary romance but I don’t like to see this in romantasy.
When Kit info dumped his tragic past to Eda after knowing her for literally no time at all, I rolled my eyes. There was no reason for it either, he just started spilling his life story. Not the best way to tackle character exposition, imo.
I also didn’t like the writing, the dialogue or the characters (not even Kit). Honestly, I have zero desire to pick this back up.
I tried but it’s not for me!
✎ᝰ. pre-read: i too would make a pact with a hot demon
💌 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley XO for the arc!
October 11, 2026
I see your down bad human men and I raise you.. down bad DEMON MEN.
A note on expectations. What genre is this book? Is it YA? Adult? No one knows. I went into this expecting YA, and I think that's the best expectation to have. It has some spice and gore and other more adult themes, but it still feels like YA in a lot of ways.
I've had a busy and stressful couple of weeks, which might have contributed to how uncharacteristically willing I was to just turn my brain off and enjoy this book without picking everything apart. I don't know if I would have enjoyed it less under different circumstances. I don't think I would have, but I definitely don't have as many critical thoughts as I usually do, for better or worse. Ironically, I wish I could read like this all the time. Maybe I need to start stressing more??
Blackbridge is a gloomy city of canals, towering spires, wet stone and oil smoke. It's a city where faith and corruption coexist, sometimes so closely that it's difficult to tell them apart. Somewhere in the middle of it all, inside Shaw's Antiques and Curiosities, a desperate mortal is making a bargain with a demon. Not for his soul. These demons are interested in something much more useful: years of human life.
Eda Shaw and her two brothers have inherited a rather unfortunate debt from their father, who made a spectacularly bad bargain with a powerful demon known as Mr Night. They spend their days arranging Pacts on his behalf, watching desperate people sign away years of their lives in exchange for whatever they need. When a Pact goes wrong and her brothers are arrested, Eda finds herself in need of a bargain of her own. Enter Kit'rath, a mysterious demon who might just be powerful enough to help her.
The dynamic between Eda and Kit feels predictable in the way most romantasy enemies-to-lovers do, but I don't think anyone would go into this expecting any different. They bicker. There's fun banter. Kit has no shortage of innuendos. Do I need to tell my therapist about my love for male characters who use sexual innuendos as insults? Anyway.
Despite their bickering, their dynamic felt balanced. They put their differences aside and work together rather well, and then Kit pushes her into the river. Balance! I like that the demons felt rather ruthless in this book. It's a very fine line to balance. Make them too nice and they won't feel like demons, but make them too cruel and the romance will just be weird. Kit is perfectly in-between. His threats didn't feel empty when he made them, but he wasn't still threatening to drag her by the throat by the time the romance developed, which I really appreciate. It will take me right out of a supposed romance when they're supposed to be in love and one (or both) is still acting like they're enemies. Instead of doing both at the same time, he goes from threatening to YEARNINGGG.
Their relationship felt like "enemies" without constantly being reminded about it through forced arguments. They don't particularly like each other, but they aren't determined to hate each other either. They see each other for what they are, good and bad, and they manage to cooperate despite their differences. A lot of that comes from the way their partnership starts. Eda signs away a significant portion of her remaining years in exchange for Kit's help. How is that going to work once their relationship develops? Would he just give the years back? Can he?
Do you love Osric? Howl? Cardan? Astarion? Here's another drama queen to add to your list. Kit is mysterious, condescending, ruthless, powerful and enough of a vain drama queen to complain about not being able to sleep on silk pillows. Life is so hard. But poor Kit falls first. And he's so down bad. Eda keeps pulling away while Kit keeps falling, and underneath all that arrogance, there is nothing but devotion and worship. For a book with so much religion, it's kinda ironic that the demon is the one who really worships, if ya catch my drift. 🌚
I quite liked Eda, and I think that is largely thanks to the fact that I was expecting YA. She is 20, and she acts the way a 20-year-old might. She can probably come across as pretty naive and impulsive if you're expecting her to act like a grown adult, but I felt like she acted appropriately for her age and the genre. She has been sheltered her whole life and has only really existed inside the bubble of the antiques shop and finding dealies for the Pacts to get out of the debt they inherited. The bubble bursts completely unexpectedly, and Eda has no experience to rely on, only desperation.
Eda is brave and so selfless, willing to give up quite literally everything in order to protect the people she cares about. But she's also bitter and judgmental. She has spent years watching people make Pacts, and she has very little sympathy for them. In her eyes, they're foolish, greedy or weak. Then she finds herself desperate enough to make an absolutely insane bargain herself, and it slowly becomes clear that she never really considered what drives people to make those choices in the first place. And ironically, it's Kit who starts making her question that. It takes a demon to teach Eda to have a little faith in humanity.
The side characters also stand out to me, and I usually forget about side characters as soon as they're off the page. There's Robin, a stern, witchy lady who will absolutely tell you to get your shit together in no uncertain terms. She's brusque and doesn't seem particularly interested in being anyone's friend, but underneath that exterior is someone just as selfless and willing to help as Eda. And then there's Tripp, Kit's familiar, a rude little imp who I absolutely adored. I have a weakness for these tiny, troublesome creatures and their lack of manners.
In a lot of romantasy, the plot is mostly there to give the romance somewhere to happen, but Reap & Sow has a stronger foundation than that. There are some interesting religious themes, particularly the way power and corruption are intertwined with faith. The Faithhood claims to protect the people of Blackbridge from demonic influence, but the people preaching salvation aren't necessarily any less dangerous than the demons themselves. There's an interesting question running through the story about what separates divine intervention from a demonic bargain. After all, if someone is desperate enough to beg a higher power for help, does it really matter to them whether the thing answering their prayers is a god or a demon? Is there even a difference? And what happens when the people offering salvation have just as much to gain from that desperation as the demons do?
The pacing was pretty much perfect. The romance and the larger plot take turns moving the story forward. There's always something happening. I never felt like I was waiting for the romance to resume so we could get to the good stuff, or waiting for the characters to stop flirting so the actual story could continue. Both parts were interesting enough to keep me reading, and neither felt like it was taking time away from the other.
I really think this is shaping up to be a great series. Everything in this book worked well for me. All the characters, the plot, and that LAST SENTENCE???
WHAT DO YOU MEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN 😩😩😩 HOW CAN YOU END A BOOK LIKE THAT
A big thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House and Charlotte B. Plumb for the ARC!
A note on expectations. What genre is this book? Is it YA? Adult? No one knows. I went into this expecting YA, and I think that's the best expectation to have. It has some spice and gore and other more adult themes, but it still feels like YA in a lot of ways.
I've had a busy and stressful couple of weeks, which might have contributed to how uncharacteristically willing I was to just turn my brain off and enjoy this book without picking everything apart. I don't know if I would have enjoyed it less under different circumstances. I don't think I would have, but I definitely don't have as many critical thoughts as I usually do, for better or worse. Ironically, I wish I could read like this all the time. Maybe I need to start stressing more??
Blackbridge is a gloomy city of canals, towering spires, wet stone and oil smoke. It's a city where faith and corruption coexist, sometimes so closely that it's difficult to tell them apart. Somewhere in the middle of it all, inside Shaw's Antiques and Curiosities, a desperate mortal is making a bargain with a demon. Not for his soul. These demons are interested in something much more useful: years of human life.
Eda Shaw and her two brothers have inherited a rather unfortunate debt from their father, who made a spectacularly bad bargain with a powerful demon known as Mr Night. They spend their days arranging Pacts on his behalf, watching desperate people sign away years of their lives in exchange for whatever they need. When a Pact goes wrong and her brothers are arrested, Eda finds herself in need of a bargain of her own. Enter Kit'rath, a mysterious demon who might just be powerful enough to help her.
The dynamic between Eda and Kit feels predictable in the way most romantasy enemies-to-lovers do, but I don't think anyone would go into this expecting any different. They bicker. There's fun banter. Kit has no shortage of innuendos. Do I need to tell my therapist about my love for male characters who use sexual innuendos as insults? Anyway.
Despite their bickering, their dynamic felt balanced. They put their differences aside and work together rather well, and then Kit pushes her into the river. Balance! I like that the demons felt rather ruthless in this book. It's a very fine line to balance. Make them too nice and they won't feel like demons, but make them too cruel and the romance will just be weird. Kit is perfectly in-between. His threats didn't feel empty when he made them, but he wasn't still threatening to drag her by the throat by the time the romance developed, which I really appreciate. It will take me right out of a supposed romance when they're supposed to be in love and one (or both) is still acting like they're enemies. Instead of doing both at the same time, he goes from threatening to YEARNINGGG.
Their relationship felt like "enemies" without constantly being reminded about it through forced arguments. They don't particularly like each other, but they aren't determined to hate each other either. They see each other for what they are, good and bad, and they manage to cooperate despite their differences. A lot of that comes from the way their partnership starts. Eda signs away a significant portion of her remaining years in exchange for Kit's help. How is that going to work once their relationship develops? Would he just give the years back? Can he?
Do you love Osric? Howl? Cardan? Astarion? Here's another drama queen to add to your list. Kit is mysterious, condescending, ruthless, powerful and enough of a vain drama queen to complain about not being able to sleep on silk pillows. Life is so hard. But poor Kit falls first. And he's so down bad. Eda keeps pulling away while Kit keeps falling, and underneath all that arrogance, there is nothing but devotion and worship. For a book with so much religion, it's kinda ironic that the demon is the one who really worships, if ya catch my drift. 🌚
I quite liked Eda, and I think that is largely thanks to the fact that I was expecting YA. She is 20, and she acts the way a 20-year-old might. She can probably come across as pretty naive and impulsive if you're expecting her to act like a grown adult, but I felt like she acted appropriately for her age and the genre. She has been sheltered her whole life and has only really existed inside the bubble of the antiques shop and finding dealies for the Pacts to get out of the debt they inherited. The bubble bursts completely unexpectedly, and Eda has no experience to rely on, only desperation.
Eda is brave and so selfless, willing to give up quite literally everything in order to protect the people she cares about. But she's also bitter and judgmental. She has spent years watching people make Pacts, and she has very little sympathy for them. In her eyes, they're foolish, greedy or weak. Then she finds herself desperate enough to make an absolutely insane bargain herself, and it slowly becomes clear that she never really considered what drives people to make those choices in the first place. And ironically, it's Kit who starts making her question that. It takes a demon to teach Eda to have a little faith in humanity.
The side characters also stand out to me, and I usually forget about side characters as soon as they're off the page. There's Robin, a stern, witchy lady who will absolutely tell you to get your shit together in no uncertain terms. She's brusque and doesn't seem particularly interested in being anyone's friend, but underneath that exterior is someone just as selfless and willing to help as Eda. And then there's Tripp, Kit's familiar, a rude little imp who I absolutely adored. I have a weakness for these tiny, troublesome creatures and their lack of manners.
In a lot of romantasy, the plot is mostly there to give the romance somewhere to happen, but Reap & Sow has a stronger foundation than that. There are some interesting religious themes, particularly the way power and corruption are intertwined with faith. The Faithhood claims to protect the people of Blackbridge from demonic influence, but the people preaching salvation aren't necessarily any less dangerous than the demons themselves. There's an interesting question running through the story about what separates divine intervention from a demonic bargain. After all, if someone is desperate enough to beg a higher power for help, does it really matter to them whether the thing answering their prayers is a god or a demon? Is there even a difference? And what happens when the people offering salvation have just as much to gain from that desperation as the demons do?
The pacing was pretty much perfect. The romance and the larger plot take turns moving the story forward. There's always something happening. I never felt like I was waiting for the romance to resume so we could get to the good stuff, or waiting for the characters to stop flirting so the actual story could continue. Both parts were interesting enough to keep me reading, and neither felt like it was taking time away from the other.
I really think this is shaping up to be a great series. Everything in this book worked well for me. All the characters, the plot, and that LAST SENTENCE???
WHAT DO YOU MEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN 😩😩😩 HOW CAN YOU END A BOOK LIKE THAT
A big thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House and Charlotte B. Plumb for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️ 2.5 ⭐️ A romance between a mortal and a demon from otherworld should have done it for me.. but something about this story just didn't grab me the way that I wanted it to. When I say that I was almost 99% sure that from the first 20% of the story this would end up being my 5 star read...imagine my disappointment and surprise when I closed the book and came to realize that I didn't enjoy it all that much. Ultimately, I think the problem was the content. It was boring. It started off strong and everything about it was fantastic; the first 20% completely sucks you in. The world building, the allure and the intrigue was all there but the storytelling succumbed to a really flat storytelling, melancholic tone and a romance that did not make me feel a thing for these two characters. The 'banter' was not bantering and there was no spark to their conversations. I can't even call this a cozy fantasy because there was absolutely nothing charming about it. To be honest, I started reading this and then switched to the audiobook about 40% in because it started going downhill for me after the first 35% but the audiobook was just as bad. The narration put me to sleep and there was zero emotional variation. The middle portion dragged and was very clunky. By the time I reached the end, I was completely over it.
What's it about?
Eda and her brothers work in an antique shop where people can secretly make supernatural bargains--trading years of their lives for whatever they want. The siblings owe a debt to a demon, Mr. Night. When a pact goes wrong, Eda goes to Mr. Night's enemy, Kit'rath, an infuriating demon with a penchant for humanity, to seek out his help and makes a pact with but there is a price for his services. Meanwhile, there is an anti-demon religious institution/group thats on the rise, called The Faithhood, with their own agenda and motivations. A strong religious conflict is on the rise and that causes a problem for Eda and her operations.
I waited a while before I wrote this review. I waited for a friend to finish this and she was of a very similar opinion as myself. I think it's important to read books that are enjoyable and stay true to the premise. I, for one, hate giving an ARC a low rating. Sadly, I think this story is a bit overhyped. While this was not my cup of tea, I think it will resonate with a lot of readers who prefer a low stakes fantasy.
Grab your BOTM $5 copy early here: https://www.mybotm.com/bgnrjn6qk0o
Very easy to sign up (you get a free tote!), pause, skip or cancel at no additional cost to you!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley XO and the author, Charlotte B. Plumb for an early ARC!
Publication date: October 6, 2026
What's it about?
Eda and her brothers work in an antique shop where people can secretly make supernatural bargains--trading years of their lives for whatever they want. The siblings owe a debt to a demon, Mr. Night. When a pact goes wrong, Eda goes to Mr. Night's enemy, Kit'rath, an infuriating demon with a penchant for humanity, to seek out his help and makes a pact with but there is a price for his services. Meanwhile, there is an anti-demon religious institution/group thats on the rise, called The Faithhood, with their own agenda and motivations. A strong religious conflict is on the rise and that causes a problem for Eda and her operations.
I waited a while before I wrote this review. I waited for a friend to finish this and she was of a very similar opinion as myself. I think it's important to read books that are enjoyable and stay true to the premise. I, for one, hate giving an ARC a low rating. Sadly, I think this story is a bit overhyped. While this was not my cup of tea, I think it will resonate with a lot of readers who prefer a low stakes fantasy.
Grab your BOTM $5 copy early here: https://www.mybotm.com/bgnrjn6qk0o
Very easy to sign up (you get a free tote!), pause, skip or cancel at no additional cost to you!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley XO and the author, Charlotte B. Plumb for an early ARC!
Publication date: October 6, 2026
May 23, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from Netgalley
I’m elated to announce that this book, one of my most anticipated reads of the year so far, did not disappoint in the slightest. Not only did it not disappoint, it surpassed every single expectation I had of it.
Eda was the kind of character you can’t help but root for. She didn’t always make the wisest decisions, specifically in the beginning, but it was never difficult to see where she was coming from. This girl had me screaming “stopppp” at my phone screen with that one thing she did at the start, not just because she was being a complete idiot, but also because I just didn’t want her to suffer the consequences that were so obviously coming.
Kit’rath is a terrible name. Lucky for him, I love him enough to overlook that. He’s a demon, so that’s already +1000 points, but he’s also hilarious. The moment where he called Tripp and Eda children and sarcastically chastised them for bickering had me laughing out loud. And deep down, surprisingly sensitive for a demon. How fresh that he be the one to see the world with hope and awe while Eda is jaded and bitter.
Don’t get it twisted, he’s also a sassy asshole. So basically he is everything I love in a man—except the hope and awe thing, of course—especially the dark hair, because I can only tolerate so many blonds.
The romance was to die for. Plain and simple. I’m doing my best to avoid spoilers, but I HAVE to mention this one thing:
When he took her to the play, and she mentioned not liking sad endings, and he asked her if she would wish she hadn’t come if the ending would sadden her, but he was obviously talking about their ending? UGH. Literally a PERFECT scene.
I wish I could quote specific moments from the writing, because I loved it and there were so many that would make me squeal if I was a person who squealed. It was deceptively simple—it never tried too hard, wasn’t littered with fancy language, but still managed to be vivid, layered, and PULL ON MY HEARTSTRINGS THE WHOLE TIME.
The world was immersive; it felt lived in rather than a mere backdrop for the events of the story. From the cities to the people to the religion to Kit’s home realm, everything felt fully realized and authentic. I especially enjoyed the details and lore of the faith system. It was quite intriguing, but more importantly, it was incredibly fleshed out.
I loved the nuance in how Eda and her brothers viewed their father. Eda could only see him as a selfish, foolish man who sacrificed his children, while her brothers remembered a time before that, when he was a good dad, and still held so much love for him despite what he did. They mourned a man Eda never knew, and wanted her to do so as well, but she just couldn’t, especially with the way she was essentially groomed by Mr. Night. Their differing perspectives, along with her sentimental attachment to the demon they were indebted to, added so many layers to the grief they each shared and made it feel that much more real.
The ending pt. 1 was absolutely perfect—dare I say I’m obsessed?
ENDING PT. 2 WTF WAS THAT LAST PARAGRAPH? How am I meant to wait for a second book? I shall remain in excruciating. agony until it comes out.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
thank you to the publisher for the arc♡
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
Me over here waiting for my netgalley request for this to be approved meanwhile it’s been moved to read now god knows how long ago: 🤡🤡
I’m elated to announce that this book, one of my most anticipated reads of the year so far, did not disappoint in the slightest. Not only did it not disappoint, it surpassed every single expectation I had of it.
Eda was the kind of character you can’t help but root for. She didn’t always make the wisest decisions, specifically in the beginning, but it was never difficult to see where she was coming from. This girl had me screaming “stopppp” at my phone screen with that one thing she did at the start, not just because she was being a complete idiot, but also because I just didn’t want her to suffer the consequences that were so obviously coming.
Kit’rath is a terrible name. Lucky for him, I love him enough to overlook that. He’s a demon, so that’s already +1000 points, but he’s also hilarious. The moment where he called Tripp and Eda children and sarcastically chastised them for bickering had me laughing out loud. And deep down, surprisingly sensitive for a demon. How fresh that he be the one to see the world with hope and awe while Eda is jaded and bitter.
Don’t get it twisted, he’s also a sassy asshole. So basically he is everything I love in a man—except the hope and awe thing, of course—especially the dark hair, because I can only tolerate so many blonds.
The romance was to die for. Plain and simple. I’m doing my best to avoid spoilers, but I HAVE to mention this one thing:
When he took her to the play, and she mentioned not liking sad endings, and he asked her if she would wish she hadn’t come if the ending would sadden her, but he was obviously talking about their ending? UGH. Literally a PERFECT scene.
I wish I could quote specific moments from the writing, because I loved it and there were so many that would make me squeal if I was a person who squealed. It was deceptively simple—it never tried too hard, wasn’t littered with fancy language, but still managed to be vivid, layered, and PULL ON MY HEARTSTRINGS THE WHOLE TIME.
The world was immersive; it felt lived in rather than a mere backdrop for the events of the story. From the cities to the people to the religion to Kit’s home realm, everything felt fully realized and authentic. I especially enjoyed the details and lore of the faith system. It was quite intriguing, but more importantly, it was incredibly fleshed out.
I loved the nuance in how Eda and her brothers viewed their father. Eda could only see him as a selfish, foolish man who sacrificed his children, while her brothers remembered a time before that, when he was a good dad, and still held so much love for him despite what he did. They mourned a man Eda never knew, and wanted her to do so as well, but she just couldn’t, especially with the way she was essentially groomed by Mr. Night. Their differing perspectives, along with her sentimental attachment to the demon they were indebted to, added so many layers to the grief they each shared and made it feel that much more real.
The ending pt. 1 was absolutely perfect—dare I say I’m obsessed?
ENDING PT. 2 WTF WAS THAT LAST PARAGRAPH? How am I meant to wait for a second book? I shall remain in excruciating. agony until it comes out.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
thank you to the publisher for the arc♡
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
Me over here waiting for my netgalley request for this to be approved meanwhile it’s been moved to read now god knows how long ago: 🤡🤡
October 13, 2026
4.5 stars! What a fantastic gothic romantasy! This book had the perfect blend of fantasy and romance for my liking with strong world-building, a fleshed out plot, and a slower burn romance.
I adored Kit. He was an amazing MMC, and he stands out among other MMCs in the romantasy genre. I loved how he was ruthless and morally grey, yet hedonistic and sarcastic. He simply wanted to "chill" in the human world and enjoy fashion, art, and creativity. I liked how he wasn't power hungry. He did remind me a bit of Aaron Warner and Will Herondale. Though I wasn't a big fan of his actions in the third act breakup. And Eda's character didn't feel as developed as Kit's did.
I also LOVE a sidekick character and Tripp the imp was hilarious. I adored his loyalty to Kit and later Eda.
The pacing was great overall, especially at the beginning. I liked how the world-building was easy to comprehend (and the story as a whole was easy to follow), yet it had depth and dimension, especially with the setting and religious system. I'm hoping in a sequel, we see more of the demon world and how the religious orders came to be. And on the topic of sequels, I appreciate how this could be read as a standalone!
Thank you so much to Berkley XO for sending me a copy of Reap and Sow. As always, my reviews are one hundred percent voluntary and all opinions are my own :)
I adored Kit. He was an amazing MMC, and he stands out among other MMCs in the romantasy genre. I loved how he was ruthless and morally grey, yet hedonistic and sarcastic. He simply wanted to "chill" in the human world and enjoy fashion, art, and creativity. I liked how he wasn't power hungry. He did remind me a bit of Aaron Warner and Will Herondale. Though I wasn't a big fan of his actions in the third act breakup. And Eda's character didn't feel as developed as Kit's did.
I also LOVE a sidekick character and Tripp the imp was hilarious. I adored his loyalty to Kit and later Eda.
The pacing was great overall, especially at the beginning. I liked how the world-building was easy to comprehend (and the story as a whole was easy to follow), yet it had depth and dimension, especially with the setting and religious system. I'm hoping in a sequel, we see more of the demon world and how the religious orders came to be. And on the topic of sequels, I appreciate how this could be read as a standalone!
Thank you so much to Berkley XO for sending me a copy of Reap and Sow. As always, my reviews are one hundred percent voluntary and all opinions are my own :)
July 1, 2026
Reap & Sow by Charlotte B. Plumb
Book Blurb: 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.
Rating: *****
Feels: Intrigued, Adventure, Entertained, Satisfied
Style: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance, Dark Fantasy, Dark Romance
First published October 6, 2026 : 384 pages
Themes & Setting: Very much a gothic romantasy with themes of religious persecution and a really interesting take on heaven and "hell". There were definite themes of good vrs evil and what do those actually mean to the individual.
FMC: Eda is devoted to her family which does not always lead her to make the best choices. I do love her fumbles through the story and also just her tenacity to get what she needs done under staggering odds.
MMC: Kit makes dealing with a demon look like a very good idea !! He has swagger, history and a built in mystery that make him irresistible !! Just absolutely yummy.
Conclusion: Sooo I’m obsessed with this read. loving the vibes. Gothic romantasy. Deals with demons. Shady happenings in the dark !! Super grumpy demon daddy !!!! Sloooow Burn goodness 🥰🥰Omg yes please !!!! I loved so many things about this read and how it all came together to just be fun, amusing and thought provoking. We have demons who make pacts with humans for years of their lives. Interesting to see what people want to give up time for and the dynamic that creates. The manipulation of public opinion by many different sources in this setting is fascinating and I hope we learn more about the origin of the demons. I really enjoyed this take on demons and pacts / free will. Highly recommended
This book has:
Gothic Vibes
Demon Deals
Forced Proximity
Witches & Magic
Slow Burn
Witty Banter
Book Blurb: 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.
Rating: *****
Feels: Intrigued, Adventure, Entertained, Satisfied
Style: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance, Dark Fantasy, Dark Romance
First published October 6, 2026 : 384 pages
Themes & Setting: Very much a gothic romantasy with themes of religious persecution and a really interesting take on heaven and "hell". There were definite themes of good vrs evil and what do those actually mean to the individual.
FMC: Eda is devoted to her family which does not always lead her to make the best choices. I do love her fumbles through the story and also just her tenacity to get what she needs done under staggering odds.
MMC: Kit makes dealing with a demon look like a very good idea !! He has swagger, history and a built in mystery that make him irresistible !! Just absolutely yummy.
Conclusion: Sooo I’m obsessed with this read. loving the vibes. Gothic romantasy. Deals with demons. Shady happenings in the dark !! Super grumpy demon daddy !!!! Sloooow Burn goodness 🥰🥰Omg yes please !!!! I loved so many things about this read and how it all came together to just be fun, amusing and thought provoking. We have demons who make pacts with humans for years of their lives. Interesting to see what people want to give up time for and the dynamic that creates. The manipulation of public opinion by many different sources in this setting is fascinating and I hope we learn more about the origin of the demons. I really enjoyed this take on demons and pacts / free will. Highly recommended
This book has:
Gothic Vibes
Demon Deals
Forced Proximity
Witches & Magic
Slow Burn
Witty Banter
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
”What else would you have me confess?” He rumbled. “How I despise every moment your eyes aren’t on me? How low I would prostrate myself, just to earn another measly crumb of your attention?”
i went into this book with the bare minimum of info, so i was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. it was so easy to get sucked into this world / plot and i grew fond of all the characters right away, basically.
Eda and her two brothers Lawrie and Ben are left indebted to a demon, who they’ve been slowly feeding the townspeople souls to. then something goes wrong, forcing Eda to make another deal with another demon (the mmc Kit), since he’s her only real option.
Kit is truly such a babygirl, he’s got a perfect balance in his personality and i loved how his defenses dropped entirely whenever he was with Eda. i felt that Eda was more morally ambiguous, but her love for the people closest to her is what drives her motivations.
the ending had me staring at the wall.. cause i had a false sense of security and i do NOT appreciate how i have to wait to figure out what the hell she meant??!!!
➷ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Berkley XO for the arc, all opinions are my own.
i went into this book with the bare minimum of info, so i was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. it was so easy to get sucked into this world / plot and i grew fond of all the characters right away, basically.
Eda and her two brothers Lawrie and Ben are left indebted to a demon, who they’ve been slowly feeding the townspeople souls to. then something goes wrong, forcing Eda to make another deal with another demon (the mmc Kit), since he’s her only real option.
Kit is truly such a babygirl, he’s got a perfect balance in his personality and i loved how his defenses dropped entirely whenever he was with Eda. i felt that Eda was more morally ambiguous, but her love for the people closest to her is what drives her motivations.
the ending had me staring at the wall.. cause i had a false sense of security and i do NOT appreciate how i have to wait to figure out what the hell she meant??!!!
➷ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Berkley XO for the arc, all opinions are my own.
October 12, 2026
Reap and sow ★★★☆☆
THIS GENUINELY COULD'VE ENDED WITH ONE BOOK
I had no clue this was gonna be a duology ☹️
THE ENDING WAS FINE IT WAS SO FINE
UNTIL THAT VERY LAST BIT
LIKE WHAT?
HUH
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
HOW LONG DO I NEED TO WAIT FOR BOOK 2? LIKE THIS BOOK JUST RELEASED NOT LONG AGO 😔
—ALSO just gonna leave this here:
“Do you like poetry?”
He sounded like he truly cared to know. She curled her fingers in her lap. Suddenly, Eda wasn’t sure what any of the actors said. “I…don’t know any.”
“Perhaps you are more muse than poet.”
“A muse?”
“One who inspires the words.”
THIS GENUINELY COULD'VE ENDED WITH ONE BOOK
I had no clue this was gonna be a duology ☹️
THE ENDING WAS FINE IT WAS SO FINE
UNTIL THAT VERY LAST BIT
LIKE WHAT?
HUH
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
HOW LONG DO I NEED TO WAIT FOR BOOK 2? LIKE THIS BOOK JUST RELEASED NOT LONG AGO 😔
—ALSO just gonna leave this here:
“Do you like poetry?”
He sounded like he truly cared to know. She curled her fingers in her lap. Suddenly, Eda wasn’t sure what any of the actors said. “I…don’t know any.”
“Perhaps you are more muse than poet.”
“A muse?”
“One who inspires the words.”
October 14, 2026
The name Kit’rath was certainly a choice, and I had my reservations at first 😭 BUT once you get past that little hurdle, this book EATS. Gothic vibes? ✅Slow burn?✅✅✅ Hot demon men? OBVIOUSLY. Me and Kendall were SAT. Apparently all it takes to get us to sell our souls is a demon with a little bit of audacity and some romantic tension. Would I make a pact with a demon? Probably not. Would I read about hot demon men making questionable life choices for love? Absolutely. 5 stars because unfortunately we are in fact down horrendous for fictional demons. 🧎♀️🔥
✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: 🕯️🖤 :･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ✧
Another buddy read with Kenny poo😚🤏
✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: 🕯️🖤 :･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ✧
Another buddy read with Kenny poo😚🤏
November 17, 2025
Official blurb to come but I LOVED this. Propulsive and twisty and with an absolutely delicious love interest - you’re all not ready!!
March 2, 2026
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.
Understanding him? That’s the tricky part.
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.
Understanding him? That’s the tricky part.
April 29, 2026
first 6 star of the year we truly love to see it
Reap & Sow truly shines through in its character work - these characters are so intensely lovable and easy to cheer for. In particular, our MMC, Kit’rath, is an absolute delight. What’s not to love about a cheeky, sassy man who just so happens to be a demon? For my fellow Voidwalker lovers: this man is Antal coded.
This book made me laugh, scream, cry, and gasp, sometimes all within the same page… but that ending was unforgivable, and you can see my exact reaction in the second slide. I am begging, pleading, and screaming for the sequel EXPEDITIOUSLY.
My pitch:
Hidden beneath the shroud of Blackbridge’s piety, desperate citizens deal away years of their life to demons in pursuit of their greatest desires. Eda Shaw understands better than anyone how deep these illicit transactions run. After all, she has a mirror ensconced in her basement capable of summoning one such demon, Mr. Night, having inherited both the mirror and her father’s Pact upon his passing. The Shaws owe Mr. Night human years, and as such, must bring him willing participants eager to sign their lives away.
Desperation breeds impulse and Eda decides to deliver on their debt sooner than later, only to be entrapped by the Blades, an army in service of eliminating demonic presence from Blackbridge, resulting in the capture of her brothers. In a bid to free them, Eda makes a pact of her own with another elusive demon hidden within Blackbridge… But Kit’rath Ansellis is more intriguing than she could ever imagine.
Alas, you don’t always get what you bargain for.
Reap & Sow truly shines through in its character work - these characters are so intensely lovable and easy to cheer for. In particular, our MMC, Kit’rath, is an absolute delight. What’s not to love about a cheeky, sassy man who just so happens to be a demon? For my fellow Voidwalker lovers: this man is Antal coded.
This book made me laugh, scream, cry, and gasp, sometimes all within the same page… but that ending was unforgivable, and you can see my exact reaction in the second slide. I am begging, pleading, and screaming for the sequel EXPEDITIOUSLY.
My pitch:
Hidden beneath the shroud of Blackbridge’s piety, desperate citizens deal away years of their life to demons in pursuit of their greatest desires. Eda Shaw understands better than anyone how deep these illicit transactions run. After all, she has a mirror ensconced in her basement capable of summoning one such demon, Mr. Night, having inherited both the mirror and her father’s Pact upon his passing. The Shaws owe Mr. Night human years, and as such, must bring him willing participants eager to sign their lives away.
Desperation breeds impulse and Eda decides to deliver on their debt sooner than later, only to be entrapped by the Blades, an army in service of eliminating demonic presence from Blackbridge, resulting in the capture of her brothers. In a bid to free them, Eda makes a pact of her own with another elusive demon hidden within Blackbridge… But Kit’rath Ansellis is more intriguing than she could ever imagine.
Alas, you don’t always get what you bargain for.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Happy Release Day!!
A very enjoyable read that's a mix between cozy and romantasy.
This was a surprise for me. I was obviously hoping to enjoy it, but it ended up being much better than I was thinking it would be. Very interesting storyline, really great writing, and two main characters that were really entertaining and engaging.
I think at times the pacing could have been a little better, but I think that's where the cozy side comes in. It was a very interesting combo, but I don't think it balanced quite right, but it made me very interested to read more like this. And it seems like this will be a series? If so, absolutely sign me up for the sequel ❤️🔥
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley XO for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
A very enjoyable read that's a mix between cozy and romantasy.
This was a surprise for me. I was obviously hoping to enjoy it, but it ended up being much better than I was thinking it would be. Very interesting storyline, really great writing, and two main characters that were really entertaining and engaging.
I think at times the pacing could have been a little better, but I think that's where the cozy side comes in. It was a very interesting combo, but I don't think it balanced quite right, but it made me very interested to read more like this. And it seems like this will be a series? If so, absolutely sign me up for the sequel ❤️🔥
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley XO for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
(4.5⭐)
UMMM???? OMINOUS MUCH?? Could've just ended the book with the paragraph before, I did not need to feel dread like that... I'm genuinely terrified now??? Like truly the way I went from "aww" to my heart dropping FAST. I need book 2 right now.
There are so many things to love about Reap & Sow. Not only did it have such beautiful prose (seriously, the writing??), but this world and its characters are just so full of life. Which I know is such an odd thing to say considering practically all books are like this but there was just something unique here. Maybe it's because its been quite awhile since I felt this consumed by a book's romantic storyline in 2 months. Or maybe it's because I genuinely adored so much the theme of mortality that was explored. The juxtaposition between Eda, the human, who despises the weaknesses and lack of mortality and power of her own kind mortals, and Kit, the demon, who admires mortals, mimicks their actions and longs to be like them. Like hello I was obsessed with it!! Kit's fierce love for poetry, songs, plays... and giving Eda that same experience🥹 I love them your honour.
Which speaking of those two!! THEM OH MY GOSH. Kit and Eda had me gushing and squealing in delight every 5 seconds I swear. THEY'RE SO CUTE HELLO?!?!? From the moment Kit appeared I was like "yup, that's my man." We love a demon that gives threats of violence during that first encounter with the FMC!! Gosh I could not stop laughing he's genuinely so funny😭 And I love Eda for being such a mood like "yes he's pretty but oh I really shouldn't be even LIKING a demon because a) he could be playing with my feelings and b) I literally owe him FIFTY years of my life..." and YET🫣 They had such amazing chemistry!!! I adored their banter, literally every second of it was golden. They complement each other so well, theyre my babies omg. The way I melted like a puddle during all those romantic scenes?? Like wow was Kit SUCH a romantic. And every time he called Eda "darling" I was giggling and kicking my feet MY HEART. The amount of scenes I highlighted with these two... I was a goner. Get me a man like Kit please and thank you.
And again, can I scream about the writing?? Talk about being not only gorgeous and immersive but ADDICTING?! In a flash I would read 20% in bursts without even noticing and don't even get me started on those intense scenes... like nobody talk to me let me gasp in peace!! My heart was beating so so fast during that last half especially, I was genuinely so invested I could not take my eyes off the book. (And funny enough my 11 year old sister chose that exact moment to want to gush about a book she was reading and as much as I love hearing her talk, I could not be interrupted!!)
The plot was very well written in my opinion and I definitely did not expect those turn of events near the end?? (The way I nearly cried during one scene omg) I'm so excited to see where we're taken next in book 2!
And of course as I mentioned before, the world was written so beautifully. I could picture myself in Blackbridge and found myself admiring the same things Eda and Kit would describe as if I was experiencing it. It gives me a new appreciation of the small city I live in honestly LOL. Though it's obviously nowhere as interesting as Blackbridge. Also on another note, I'm excited to learn more about Hell and the other demons next book!!
I will say that the only reason this isn't a 5 star, despite how much I adored it, is because I'm not getting that feeling of "5 stars!! I'm obsessed!!" that I would usually get (idk I'm picky with 5 stars this year😭)
All in all, Reap & Sow is an amazing debut and Charlotte has definitely won me over!! I will be counting down the days until we get book 2. (And please... don't scare me with that ending, please don't hurt my babies😭 I'll offer 50 years of MY life)
Thank you Berkley XO for the ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!! And thank you Penguin Teen Canada for the physical ARC!
UMMM???? OMINOUS MUCH?? Could've just ended the book with the paragraph before, I did not need to feel dread like that... I'm genuinely terrified now??? Like truly the way I went from "aww" to my heart dropping FAST. I need book 2 right now.
A heart is more valuable than any number of years, and harder still to get back.
There are so many things to love about Reap & Sow. Not only did it have such beautiful prose (seriously, the writing??), but this world and its characters are just so full of life. Which I know is such an odd thing to say considering practically all books are like this but there was just something unique here. Maybe it's because its been quite awhile since I felt this consumed by a book's romantic storyline in 2 months. Or maybe it's because I genuinely adored so much the theme of mortality that was explored. The juxtaposition between Eda, the human, who despises the weaknesses and lack of mortality and power of her own kind mortals, and Kit, the demon, who admires mortals, mimicks their actions and longs to be like them. Like hello I was obsessed with it!! Kit's fierce love for poetry, songs, plays... and giving Eda that same experience🥹 I love them your honour.
Which speaking of those two!! THEM OH MY GOSH. Kit and Eda had me gushing and squealing in delight every 5 seconds I swear. THEY'RE SO CUTE HELLO?!?!? From the moment Kit appeared I was like "yup, that's my man." We love a demon that gives threats of violence during that first encounter with the FMC!! Gosh I could not stop laughing he's genuinely so funny😭 And I love Eda for being such a mood like "yes he's pretty but oh I really shouldn't be even LIKING a demon because a) he could be playing with my feelings and b) I literally owe him FIFTY years of my life..." and YET🫣 They had such amazing chemistry!!! I adored their banter, literally every second of it was golden. They complement each other so well, theyre my babies omg. The way I melted like a puddle during all those romantic scenes?? Like wow was Kit SUCH a romantic. And every time he called Eda "darling" I was giggling and kicking my feet MY HEART. The amount of scenes I highlighted with these two... I was a goner. Get me a man like Kit please and thank you.
And again, can I scream about the writing?? Talk about being not only gorgeous and immersive but ADDICTING?! In a flash I would read 20% in bursts without even noticing and don't even get me started on those intense scenes... like nobody talk to me let me gasp in peace!! My heart was beating so so fast during that last half especially, I was genuinely so invested I could not take my eyes off the book. (And funny enough my 11 year old sister chose that exact moment to want to gush about a book she was reading and as much as I love hearing her talk, I could not be interrupted!!)
The plot was very well written in my opinion and I definitely did not expect those turn of events near the end?? (The way I nearly cried during one scene omg) I'm so excited to see where we're taken next in book 2!
And of course as I mentioned before, the world was written so beautifully. I could picture myself in Blackbridge and found myself admiring the same things Eda and Kit would describe as if I was experiencing it. It gives me a new appreciation of the small city I live in honestly LOL. Though it's obviously nowhere as interesting as Blackbridge. Also on another note, I'm excited to learn more about Hell and the other demons next book!!
I will say that the only reason this isn't a 5 star, despite how much I adored it, is because I'm not getting that feeling of "5 stars!! I'm obsessed!!" that I would usually get (idk I'm picky with 5 stars this year😭)
All in all, Reap & Sow is an amazing debut and Charlotte has definitely won me over!! I will be counting down the days until we get book 2. (And please... don't scare me with that ending, please don't hurt my babies😭 I'll offer 50 years of MY life)
Thank you Berkley XO for the ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!! And thank you Penguin Teen Canada for the physical ARC!
September 15, 2026
Some people like their mmcs akin to golden retrievers, or German shepards or even pitbulls. But how about the cat-coded mmc? You know the type: Cardan, Howl, Astarion, Antal from Voidwalker, Mal from How To Find A Nameless Fae... This one is another. Bonus points if he actually has a tail he emotes with, or with his ears. I have a type, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Kit is very much that: charming, flirty, funny, fashionable, somewhat cowardly, will dance around subjects rather than jump into them head on, and in romantic dynamic he's more of an enabler than pressurer. And I always appreciate this. He let Eda withdraw when she wanted to, and didn't jump at her until she asked him to. I love when a romance plot hands the agency back to fmc instead of having the love interest coerce her into a relationship (why is that so popular still, I don't know).
But anyway, first things first. This isn't my first encounter with Charlotte B. Plumb's writing. There was a time when I beta read for strangers on the internet and I found out that Jessica Faust, head of the BookEnds Literary Agency, was right in her assessment that most books get rejected from publication because they're boring. Charlotte's book stood out in the sea of boring, saggy, soggy, meandering plots. It was propulsive, it had engaging characters, it had an interesting and logically tied together plot. Unfortunately, it wasn't this book, and I wish that book also saw the light of day, because it was so good. But this one? This one is better.
I loved that the plot starts from Eda, the protagonist and sole pov of this novel, making a careless mistake. Too many books I pick up are so preoccupied with making the protagonist "likeable" and morally right that they never allow them to make a grave mistake. These characters are always forced into the plot against their protests, accused unfairly, or burdened with useless family they have to provide for. Eda's brothers are the opposite of useless, they're more reasonable than her and they try to protect her even if it means sacrificing themselves for her. So her guilt after making a mistake her brothers take the blow for is much more relatable than when the family is useless and causing problems and yet the mc for some odd reason martyrs themselves for those deadweights. The sibling bonds here were very well done and nobody felt like a personalityless plot prop.
Eda is desperate, and out of desperation people often make rash or stupid decisions, but it never felt like pointless stubbornness or catching idiot ball story. She was also very reasonable towards her developing attraction towards Kit, she kept reminding herself about her goals, the divide between humans and demons and the dire consequences of her pact, it wasn't one of those "I hate him for no reason but I can't resist him" romances there are dime a dozen in romantasy.
The plot progressed at a steady pace and the romance filled the downtime and never felt like happening at the expense of the main plot of saving Eda's brothers and fixing all the problems the trio was in.
I also liked Eda wasn't a blushing virgin. She keeps reminiscing of her past lover, Wymond, who was okay - he wasn't an evil ex or an awful lover, as it commonly happens in romances. And she pushed him away due to her secrets rather than because of some great trauma. I liked how it was all normal instead of usual story of no past experience or horrible ones.
I appreciate that Kit's greatest challenge was facing his fears. I feel commonly that character arc is reserved for female characters while male characters are not allowed cowardice, because it's perceived as too unmanly. But I enjoy when the character's flaws aren't convenient, it makes them feel so much more human, and facing those flaws so much more compelling.
I loved the side characters too. Besides Eda's brothers, we have the "witch" Robin, the imp Tripp who played the role of "sassy animal companion" even though he's not exactly a baby dragon, but still adorable, and Tenelle who's a honorable Black woman leader of the holy knights, she really reminded me of Seelah from the game Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, and I loved that game and I loved that character.
The humour in this book was impeccable. So many "humorous" books don't work for me because they feel more like a string of gags than an actual story. Here the humour was a good addition to the plot, but didn't replace it. Esp. chapters 15, 16, 30, 34 & 35. I felt it was more British humour with its sarcasm and deadpan tone than the more common "Marvel banter". Yes, the author is British, so we have all the trousers and arses in the story.
There are 2 spicy chapters back to back at around 77%, but they aren't very explicit, they're firmly open door but more on the euphemistic side. I saw this book was initially classified as YA in the UK, but since then has been moved into the new New Adult imprint, Dusk. I'm truly fascinated with the development of all those "new adult" "crossover" "romantasy" imprints because they all hint at the old truth: we need to free women-authored romantic fantasy from the confinements of YA. I enjoy a lot of YA novels, but I also like adventure fantasy that isn't that dark and gritty and we should have some of that in adult, adult doesn't mean it can't be fun.
The ending was... partially predictable, partially too neatly wrapped in a bow, but I don't care, because it was satisfying, and I didn't expect anything less from a romantasy.
I had a great time with Reap & Sow and I can only ask: Red Skies when?
Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Random House UK Children's for the ARC!
But anyway, first things first. This isn't my first encounter with Charlotte B. Plumb's writing. There was a time when I beta read for strangers on the internet and I found out that Jessica Faust, head of the BookEnds Literary Agency, was right in her assessment that most books get rejected from publication because they're boring. Charlotte's book stood out in the sea of boring, saggy, soggy, meandering plots. It was propulsive, it had engaging characters, it had an interesting and logically tied together plot. Unfortunately, it wasn't this book, and I wish that book also saw the light of day, because it was so good. But this one? This one is better.
I loved that the plot starts from Eda, the protagonist and sole pov of this novel, making a careless mistake. Too many books I pick up are so preoccupied with making the protagonist "likeable" and morally right that they never allow them to make a grave mistake. These characters are always forced into the plot against their protests, accused unfairly, or burdened with useless family they have to provide for. Eda's brothers are the opposite of useless, they're more reasonable than her and they try to protect her even if it means sacrificing themselves for her. So her guilt after making a mistake her brothers take the blow for is much more relatable than when the family is useless and causing problems and yet the mc for some odd reason martyrs themselves for those deadweights. The sibling bonds here were very well done and nobody felt like a personalityless plot prop.
Eda is desperate, and out of desperation people often make rash or stupid decisions, but it never felt like pointless stubbornness or catching idiot ball story. She was also very reasonable towards her developing attraction towards Kit, she kept reminding herself about her goals, the divide between humans and demons and the dire consequences of her pact, it wasn't one of those "I hate him for no reason but I can't resist him" romances there are dime a dozen in romantasy.
The plot progressed at a steady pace and the romance filled the downtime and never felt like happening at the expense of the main plot of saving Eda's brothers and fixing all the problems the trio was in.
I also liked Eda wasn't a blushing virgin. She keeps reminiscing of her past lover, Wymond, who was okay - he wasn't an evil ex or an awful lover, as it commonly happens in romances. And she pushed him away due to her secrets rather than because of some great trauma. I liked how it was all normal instead of usual story of no past experience or horrible ones.
I appreciate that Kit's greatest challenge was facing his fears. I feel commonly that character arc is reserved for female characters while male characters are not allowed cowardice, because it's perceived as too unmanly. But I enjoy when the character's flaws aren't convenient, it makes them feel so much more human, and facing those flaws so much more compelling.
I loved the side characters too. Besides Eda's brothers, we have the "witch" Robin, the imp Tripp who played the role of "sassy animal companion" even though he's not exactly a baby dragon, but still adorable, and Tenelle who's a honorable Black woman leader of the holy knights, she really reminded me of Seelah from the game Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, and I loved that game and I loved that character.
The humour in this book was impeccable. So many "humorous" books don't work for me because they feel more like a string of gags than an actual story. Here the humour was a good addition to the plot, but didn't replace it. Esp. chapters 15, 16, 30, 34 & 35. I felt it was more British humour with its sarcasm and deadpan tone than the more common "Marvel banter". Yes, the author is British, so we have all the trousers and arses in the story.
There are 2 spicy chapters back to back at around 77%, but they aren't very explicit, they're firmly open door but more on the euphemistic side. I saw this book was initially classified as YA in the UK, but since then has been moved into the new New Adult imprint, Dusk. I'm truly fascinated with the development of all those "new adult" "crossover" "romantasy" imprints because they all hint at the old truth: we need to free women-authored romantic fantasy from the confinements of YA. I enjoy a lot of YA novels, but I also like adventure fantasy that isn't that dark and gritty and we should have some of that in adult, adult doesn't mean it can't be fun.
The ending was... partially predictable, partially too neatly wrapped in a bow, but I don't care, because it was satisfying, and I didn't expect anything less from a romantasy.
I had a great time with Reap & Sow and I can only ask: Red Skies when?
Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Random House UK Children's for the ARC!
October 4, 2026
4.25⭐️
Thank you Penguin Teen Canada for the gifted ARC.
Had a good time reading this. Right away we meet the demon Mr. Night with whom the Shaw family have a pact with. He is summoned through a mirror portal from his world to the mortal world. The Shaw’s are required to bring more people to make pacts with the demon..
Eda Shaw decides to help out her brothers in completing their pact however ends up in a rabbit hole of trouble that leads her through a crazy journey to make things right again. I really enjoyed the relationship between Eda and her two brothers.. when they first get separated.. I was tearing up because I could feel how close they were!
That continued through the whole book. 🩷..
It also took me a while to figure out who the love interest was as we kept getting introduced to some interesting characters. lol
The lore behind the demon world and their pacts and how everything worked was done very well.. I wanted to know more about the demon world. My fav part about it was the language and how some words were used … ESPECIALLY .. Mir’han and Va kesh din… was so cute !! My fav part of the book 🩷 the yearning ! Wow … I was smiling to myself.. so good!!
The love story woven into this book was also swoon worthy.. once they finally admit their feelings. Esp him … wow he had a way with words.. def thought they were cute together..
Great book for fall ! Even better if you like demons
Thank you Penguin Teen Canada for the gifted ARC.
Had a good time reading this. Right away we meet the demon Mr. Night with whom the Shaw family have a pact with. He is summoned through a mirror portal from his world to the mortal world. The Shaw’s are required to bring more people to make pacts with the demon..
Eda Shaw decides to help out her brothers in completing their pact however ends up in a rabbit hole of trouble that leads her through a crazy journey to make things right again. I really enjoyed the relationship between Eda and her two brothers.. when they first get separated.. I was tearing up because I could feel how close they were!
That continued through the whole book. 🩷..
It also took me a while to figure out who the love interest was as we kept getting introduced to some interesting characters. lol
The lore behind the demon world and their pacts and how everything worked was done very well.. I wanted to know more about the demon world. My fav part about it was the language and how some words were used … ESPECIALLY .. Mir’han and Va kesh din… was so cute !! My fav part of the book 🩷 the yearning ! Wow … I was smiling to myself.. so good!!
The love story woven into this book was also swoon worthy.. once they finally admit their feelings. Esp him … wow he had a way with words.. def thought they were cute together..
Great book for fall ! Even better if you like demons
October 11, 2026
Reap & Sow von Charlotte B. Plumb
Bewertung: ⭐⭐⭐⭐,5 (4.5/5 Sterne)
Genre: Dark Romantasy / Gothic Fantasy
Tropes: Slow-Burn Romance, Demon x Human, Found Family, Pact Magic
Düster, emotional und absolut süchtig machend!
In der verfallenen Stadt Blackbridge gibt es für die Armen nur zwei Optionen: den Körper verkaufen oder die Seele. Eda Shaw vermittelt im Auftrag des Dämons Mr. Night verhängnisvolle Pakte. Als ein Geschäft schiefgeht und ihre Brüder verhaftet werden, bleibt ihr nur ein Ausweg: Sie muss einen Pakt mit Kit’rath eingehen – dem einzigen Dämon, den Mr. Night fürchtet und der eine faszinierende Schwäche für Menschen hat.
Warum man es lesen sollte:
Perfekte Gothic-Atmosphäre: Das düstere Setting und das durchdachte System der Dämonenpakte ziehen einen sofort in ihren Bann.
Geniale Charakterdynamik: Eda ist eine unerschütterliche Heldinnenfigur, und Kit ist überraschend vielschichtig und verletzlich. Ihre Beziehung entwickelt sich über tiefe emotionale Vertrautheit – mit spürbarer Chemie!
Starker „Found Family“-Faktor: Die emotionale Bindung zwischen Eda und ihren Brüdern verleiht der düsteren Welt viel Herz.
Unerwarteter Plot-Twist: Das Ende kommt mit einer unvorhersehbaren Wendung, die echte Tränen garantiert und dringend nach einer Fortsetzung schreien lässt.
Fazit
Ein mitreißendes Romantasy-Highlight mit fantastischem Worldbuilding, viel Witz und schmelzender Romantik. Eine klare Leseempfehlung für alle Fans von düsterer Fantasy und tiefgründigen Slow-Burn-Liebesgeschichten!
Bewertung: ⭐⭐⭐⭐,5 (4.5/5 Sterne)
Genre: Dark Romantasy / Gothic Fantasy
Tropes: Slow-Burn Romance, Demon x Human, Found Family, Pact Magic
Düster, emotional und absolut süchtig machend!
In der verfallenen Stadt Blackbridge gibt es für die Armen nur zwei Optionen: den Körper verkaufen oder die Seele. Eda Shaw vermittelt im Auftrag des Dämons Mr. Night verhängnisvolle Pakte. Als ein Geschäft schiefgeht und ihre Brüder verhaftet werden, bleibt ihr nur ein Ausweg: Sie muss einen Pakt mit Kit’rath eingehen – dem einzigen Dämon, den Mr. Night fürchtet und der eine faszinierende Schwäche für Menschen hat.
Warum man es lesen sollte:
Perfekte Gothic-Atmosphäre: Das düstere Setting und das durchdachte System der Dämonenpakte ziehen einen sofort in ihren Bann.
Geniale Charakterdynamik: Eda ist eine unerschütterliche Heldinnenfigur, und Kit ist überraschend vielschichtig und verletzlich. Ihre Beziehung entwickelt sich über tiefe emotionale Vertrautheit – mit spürbarer Chemie!
Starker „Found Family“-Faktor: Die emotionale Bindung zwischen Eda und ihren Brüdern verleiht der düsteren Welt viel Herz.
Unerwarteter Plot-Twist: Das Ende kommt mit einer unvorhersehbaren Wendung, die echte Tränen garantiert und dringend nach einer Fortsetzung schreien lässt.
Fazit
Ein mitreißendes Romantasy-Highlight mit fantastischem Worldbuilding, viel Witz und schmelzender Romantik. Eine klare Leseempfehlung für alle Fans von düsterer Fantasy und tiefgründigen Slow-Burn-Liebesgeschichten!
September 20, 2026
4.5 stars
That ending. Ha. 😭 the author better be a lying liar who lies because I will not accept anything else
Rtc
That ending. Ha. 😭 the author better be a lying liar who lies because I will not accept anything else
Rtc
October 22, 2026
This was a good read. The parts I enjoyed the most were the beginning and the end. I think the middle happened too fast, but it was an entertaining story nevertheless. Tripp 😅💕
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.25 ⭐️
"Lack of experience or education does not equal lack of ability. You can be whatever you wish, Eda. The world is yours. You need only decide to seek it out."
Reap & Sow was such an addicting read all the way, and I can’t remember the last time I FLEW through a book. I breezed through this one. When I got approved on NetGalley, I literally dropped everything to read this one, and it was so worth it. Hot demon and blood bargains? Say less. I definitely could feel the Cassandra Clare x Rachel Gillig vibes from this book, and I think this was a great, gothic debut that deserves all the raving reviews it’s been getting!
I think it is always very telling that a book will be good when it ensnares you within its first chapter. I was locked TF in from the getgo. Every chapter is so bingeable! Literally. There is something happening in every chapter and when you reach the end of one, you just want to blaze through the next just as fast. I was fighting sleep! I think this one will blow up when it’s out and will be sure to please the gothic romance and monster romance fans.
The plot was so freaking good, where the stakes are already high from the beginning. Eda and her two brothers are trickily tied to Mr Night, a demon they are indebted to because of an old bargain their father made before his death and now must work to arrange pacts among other desperate humans whereby years are shaved off their lives to be granted their deepest desires. It was such a compelling concept that was executed really well. I loved the social commentary with how it depicts the worst of humanity, and how the demons exploit that weakness through the bargains.
I really liked the sibling bond between Eda, Lawrie and Ben, and felt awful for them since they’re essentially tied to a bargain they want no part of, and their willingness to sacrifice years of their own lives if it means protecting each other. Their bond was really convincing, even if I wish we got to see more of them in the story. I really liked Eda, too, and love seeing more soft FMCs being portrayed in literature. She’s so brave in spite of all she's gone through. With the demonic debt she finds herself in, it’s no surprise Eda is self-deprecating and has a pessimistic world view, but a lot of it was very justified given her situation, and she is very self-sacrificing because of it. My heart broke for her since she’s such a sweet girl. There were a few times Eda made bad decisions out of desperation that had me screaming at my kindle, but honestly, it was really easy to understand where she came from.
My bad for thinking Mr Night was going to be the love interest at first, LMFAO. But no. The real love interest is Kit’rath, or Kit – another demon that Eda makes a bargain with when things suddenly go awry between her brothers. Kit is very much an acquired taste with his foul mouth and standoffish behaviour in the beginning. It took me a while to figure out if I liked him, and I just wanted to scrub that crass mouth of his, but he really, really grew on me the more I read, and I am begging everyone to give him a chance! I was so worried he was going to be this Wattpad coded love interest, but I am so happy to report that that was not the case! Kit is honestly just a cat in my eyes – super standoffish, cynical, a bit of a douchebag, but once he lets down his guard, he’s actually so cute, sweet and boyish. I’m so glad this didn’t turn out to be insta lusty, and there was some light pining and slow burn in there. Kit is very rough around the edges because of his upbringing, but I really like how flawed he was as someone that’s so used to hiding and running away, and I loved how that was mirrored through his powers! Not spoiling so much, but Kit’s powers are so cool and I loved how it was really well utilized in the novel!!
The romance surprisingly ended up being so pure. I think it’s so beautiful how Kit sees her worth where she does not and brings that light into her life. They compliment each other so well with Eda’s softer nature and Kit’s crasser yet thoughtful nature, even as a demon. The playhouse scene was one of my favorites and then some of the things Kit says?? He won me over after that. Big time. And we can’t forget Trill, Kit’s loyal yet annoying, infuriating imp that also somehow really grew on me by the book’s end. These characters are just so fun and memorable.
I thought the ending was perfect until I read the last paragraph and went WTF. Like, I’m sorry, we are definitely getting a sequel now, right?? I will be traumatized until a sequel gets announced!!
"Lack of experience or education does not equal lack of ability. You can be whatever you wish, Eda. The world is yours. You need only decide to seek it out."
Reap & Sow was such an addicting read all the way, and I can’t remember the last time I FLEW through a book. I breezed through this one. When I got approved on NetGalley, I literally dropped everything to read this one, and it was so worth it. Hot demon and blood bargains? Say less. I definitely could feel the Cassandra Clare x Rachel Gillig vibes from this book, and I think this was a great, gothic debut that deserves all the raving reviews it’s been getting!
I think it is always very telling that a book will be good when it ensnares you within its first chapter. I was locked TF in from the getgo. Every chapter is so bingeable! Literally. There is something happening in every chapter and when you reach the end of one, you just want to blaze through the next just as fast. I was fighting sleep! I think this one will blow up when it’s out and will be sure to please the gothic romance and monster romance fans.
The plot was so freaking good, where the stakes are already high from the beginning. Eda and her two brothers are trickily tied to Mr Night, a demon they are indebted to because of an old bargain their father made before his death and now must work to arrange pacts among other desperate humans whereby years are shaved off their lives to be granted their deepest desires. It was such a compelling concept that was executed really well. I loved the social commentary with how it depicts the worst of humanity, and how the demons exploit that weakness through the bargains.
I really liked the sibling bond between Eda, Lawrie and Ben, and felt awful for them since they’re essentially tied to a bargain they want no part of, and their willingness to sacrifice years of their own lives if it means protecting each other. Their bond was really convincing, even if I wish we got to see more of them in the story. I really liked Eda, too, and love seeing more soft FMCs being portrayed in literature. She’s so brave in spite of all she's gone through. With the demonic debt she finds herself in, it’s no surprise Eda is self-deprecating and has a pessimistic world view, but a lot of it was very justified given her situation, and she is very self-sacrificing because of it. My heart broke for her since she’s such a sweet girl. There were a few times Eda made bad decisions out of desperation that had me screaming at my kindle, but honestly, it was really easy to understand where she came from.
My bad for thinking Mr Night was going to be the love interest at first, LMFAO. But no. The real love interest is Kit’rath, or Kit – another demon that Eda makes a bargain with when things suddenly go awry between her brothers. Kit is very much an acquired taste with his foul mouth and standoffish behaviour in the beginning. It took me a while to figure out if I liked him, and I just wanted to scrub that crass mouth of his, but he really, really grew on me the more I read, and I am begging everyone to give him a chance! I was so worried he was going to be this Wattpad coded love interest, but I am so happy to report that that was not the case! Kit is honestly just a cat in my eyes – super standoffish, cynical, a bit of a douchebag, but once he lets down his guard, he’s actually so cute, sweet and boyish. I’m so glad this didn’t turn out to be insta lusty, and there was some light pining and slow burn in there. Kit is very rough around the edges because of his upbringing, but I really like how flawed he was as someone that’s so used to hiding and running away, and I loved how that was mirrored through his powers! Not spoiling so much, but Kit’s powers are so cool and I loved how it was really well utilized in the novel!!
The romance surprisingly ended up being so pure. I think it’s so beautiful how Kit sees her worth where she does not and brings that light into her life. They compliment each other so well with Eda’s softer nature and Kit’s crasser yet thoughtful nature, even as a demon. The playhouse scene was one of my favorites and then some of the things Kit says?? He won me over after that. Big time. And we can’t forget Trill, Kit’s loyal yet annoying, infuriating imp that also somehow really grew on me by the book’s end. These characters are just so fun and memorable.
I thought the ending was perfect until I read the last paragraph and went WTF. Like, I’m sorry, we are definitely getting a sequel now, right?? I will be traumatized until a sequel gets announced!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I binged the HELL out of this debut & finished it within 24 hours. +.5 was for the vibes!
🗓️ ARC Review. Pub Date: October 6, 2026 🗓️
🎁 ARC gifted to me by Berkley XO
💜 Dark romantic fantasy (new adult)
💜 3rd person POV
💜 Gothic setting & atmosphere
💜 Deals with demons
💜 Sibling bonds
💜 Flirty MMC & banter
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️ (vague description)
REAP & SOW by Charlotte B. Plumb is book 1 in a new dark romantic fantasy duology, and this story had me in a chokehold. I started this book around 11 PM last night, and I took every moment I could to binge it this Sunday (it is now 10 PM).
The vibes (as I suspected) were immaculate, and I found the world building and magic system development to be easy to follow. Her writing style is a bit reminiscent of Adalyn Grace, Kalie Cassidy, Raven Kennedy (I just finished my ARC of The Sweetest Fiend, so this book is top of mind) and The Twisted Sisters. I enjoyed the gothic atmosphere and darker themes splashed with flirty banter & comedic relief.
Our FMC, Eda is 20 years old and has been indentured to a demon her entire life. Every year, her and her brothers have to help the demon collect 50 years worth of people's lives given to him freely by those who make a deal/Pact with him (which she helps orchestrate). SO she's basically been living a life without much choice, friendships, love, or the ability to go anywhere beyond her family's shop. All she wants is her freedom, even if it comes at the cost of other's. This is definitely a tale of her self discovery, but it had undertones of a coming of age story (I'd consider this more new adult). I love the relationship she has with her two brothers, and I couldn't help but deeply feel for this character given her upbringing/background.
I would like to avoid spoilers, but our MMC is a cheeky, flirty devil of a man. I love a man who yearns, and I appreciated the development and, at times, quirkiness of this character. His character very much compliments hers, and I like the way they mirror one another (ironic, I know, if you've read this book).
Side note: one of my favorite micro tropes is when he speaks to her in a language she doesn't know and has to translate *squeals*
I really appreciate the use of juxtapositions within this story. It felt like the author intentionally put contrasting scenes, characters, etc. in place to make the characters and the reader (me) question things versus follow our own bias or preconceived notions. It brings to question what is truly good versus evil. It also has interesting conversations around corruption and the dismantling of faith. I went into this story thinking the demons would be the most corrupted characters within this tale, but...
Even though I loved this book, I ultimately didn't give it the full 5 star rating for a few reasons. The dialogue would switch from a more formal/historical feel to modern (especially when it came to the cursing), which threw me off at times. There were also some plot points that had me looking a bit sideways because it felt they almost contradicted other things I had learned. The resolution at the end felt too easy? Given all the build up, I would've expected for THAT to actually be what led us into book 2. Instead, it was easily resolved by another character popping in to save the day. I still feel very torn on how this character's story was handled...
Nonetheless, that ending was criminal. The way my face dropped as the rug was ripped out from underneath me. I'm both terrified and excited to see how Charlotte wraps up this duology.
🗓️ ARC Review. Pub Date: October 6, 2026 🗓️
🎁 ARC gifted to me by Berkley XO
💜 Dark romantic fantasy (new adult)
💜 3rd person POV
💜 Gothic setting & atmosphere
💜 Deals with demons
💜 Sibling bonds
💜 Flirty MMC & banter
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️ (vague description)
REAP & SOW by Charlotte B. Plumb is book 1 in a new dark romantic fantasy duology, and this story had me in a chokehold. I started this book around 11 PM last night, and I took every moment I could to binge it this Sunday (it is now 10 PM).
The vibes (as I suspected) were immaculate, and I found the world building and magic system development to be easy to follow. Her writing style is a bit reminiscent of Adalyn Grace, Kalie Cassidy, Raven Kennedy (I just finished my ARC of The Sweetest Fiend, so this book is top of mind) and The Twisted Sisters. I enjoyed the gothic atmosphere and darker themes splashed with flirty banter & comedic relief.
Our FMC, Eda is 20 years old and has been indentured to a demon her entire life. Every year, her and her brothers have to help the demon collect 50 years worth of people's lives given to him freely by those who make a deal/Pact with him (which she helps orchestrate). SO she's basically been living a life without much choice, friendships, love, or the ability to go anywhere beyond her family's shop. All she wants is her freedom, even if it comes at the cost of other's. This is definitely a tale of her self discovery, but it had undertones of a coming of age story (I'd consider this more new adult). I love the relationship she has with her two brothers, and I couldn't help but deeply feel for this character given her upbringing/background.
I would like to avoid spoilers, but our MMC is a cheeky, flirty devil of a man. I love a man who yearns, and I appreciated the development and, at times, quirkiness of this character. His character very much compliments hers, and I like the way they mirror one another (ironic, I know, if you've read this book).
Side note: one of my favorite micro tropes is when he speaks to her in a language she doesn't know and has to translate *squeals*
I really appreciate the use of juxtapositions within this story. It felt like the author intentionally put contrasting scenes, characters, etc. in place to make the characters and the reader (me) question things versus follow our own bias or preconceived notions. It brings to question what is truly good versus evil. It also has interesting conversations around corruption and the dismantling of faith. I went into this story thinking the demons would be the most corrupted characters within this tale, but...
Even though I loved this book, I ultimately didn't give it the full 5 star rating for a few reasons. The dialogue would switch from a more formal/historical feel to modern (especially when it came to the cursing), which threw me off at times. There were also some plot points that had me looking a bit sideways because it felt they almost contradicted other things I had learned. The resolution at the end felt too easy? Given all the build up, I would've expected for THAT to actually be what led us into book 2. Instead, it was easily resolved by another character popping in to save the day. I still feel very torn on how this character's story was handled...
Nonetheless, that ending was criminal. The way my face dropped as the rug was ripped out from underneath me. I'm both terrified and excited to see how Charlotte wraps up this duology.
October 7, 2026
a big thank you to penguin for the gorgeous arc + pr box of reap & sow 🥀💜
i expected a gothic romantasy coming into this and gotten SO. MUCH. MORE out of it!!! this felt SO fresh and fun :’))) i was rooting for eda and her brothers through and through! the sibling dynamic was *chef’s kiss* 🫶🏼 LOVE when the older brothers act their age and actually look out for their little sister :’)
i’m a big fan of the writing that got me hooked from page one! the stakes were high, the plot flowed naturally, and it was just overall such a fun and cute and atmospheric time! ✨💘🥀 the romance was actually so sweet :’D kit was SO howl coded with his sass and powerful magic, but the man also has TASTE and enjoys poetry and theatre and arts 🫶🏼✨ honestly both eda and kit gave me gremlin vibes which i loveee 🙂↔️ i miss my gremlin characters!!! this was also a lot darker than i thought which isn’t a bad thing at all! in fact it was SO intriguing and ugh, that ending?!? what does it meannnn?!? 😩😩
what a gorgeously fun and clever debut. i had the best best time reading this 🥹 also also the audiobook was SO GOOD. the duet was done so well and once again it was just soooo much fun!!! 💘💘
i expected a gothic romantasy coming into this and gotten SO. MUCH. MORE out of it!!! this felt SO fresh and fun :’))) i was rooting for eda and her brothers through and through! the sibling dynamic was *chef’s kiss* 🫶🏼 LOVE when the older brothers act their age and actually look out for their little sister :’)
i’m a big fan of the writing that got me hooked from page one! the stakes were high, the plot flowed naturally, and it was just overall such a fun and cute and atmospheric time! ✨💘🥀 the romance was actually so sweet :’D kit was SO howl coded with his sass and powerful magic, but the man also has TASTE and enjoys poetry and theatre and arts 🫶🏼✨ honestly both eda and kit gave me gremlin vibes which i loveee 🙂↔️ i miss my gremlin characters!!! this was also a lot darker than i thought which isn’t a bad thing at all! in fact it was SO intriguing and ugh, that ending?!? what does it meannnn?!? 😩😩
what a gorgeously fun and clever debut. i had the best best time reading this 🥹 also also the audiobook was SO GOOD. the duet was done so well and once again it was just soooo much fun!!! 💘💘
October 11, 2026
this was giving all the fall vibes!! A perfect spooky season read! It took me a little bit to get invested but the second have was great! By the end I wS questioning if this was a standalone but then I read the last paragraph lol. It was so ominous and I’m so curious now what will happen in book 2!! Tripp was also adorable! He was reminding me of Dobby. I love him and I hope nothing bad happens to him.
October 16, 2026
This is one of those books that hovers between YA and NA/Adult, it has some darker themes, but still many elements of a YA-book, such as pacing and character impressions. I usually enjoy that mix, and this was no different.
I loved the overall gothic themes and the take on demons. I also enjoyed the dynamic between Eda and Kit, but also liked the characters on their own. Kit was a good mix of dark, caring and humoristic.
The romance had potential, but I didn’t think it was developed properly. It quickly shifted to attraction with no solid foundation.
But overall a fun read and a series I can see myself continuing.
I loved the overall gothic themes and the take on demons. I also enjoyed the dynamic between Eda and Kit, but also liked the characters on their own. Kit was a good mix of dark, caring and humoristic.
The romance had potential, but I didn’t think it was developed properly. It quickly shifted to attraction with no solid foundation.
But overall a fun read and a series I can see myself continuing.
September 30, 2026
I’m obsessed with this grumpy demon! Kit’rath’s dry humor and the softer side he tries to hide made me love him more with every scene. The slow burn is excruciating, but all that tension had me hanging on to every little moment between him and Eda.
Eda’s journey was one of my favorite parts. She’s fiercely devoted to her family, even when that leads her into trouble, and I loved watching her find her strength and become more sure of herself. The demon bargains, dark magic, and gothic setting made this such an atmospheric read.
This was a wonderful gothic romantasy, and the kind of book that feels perfect to curl up with in the fall. I loved it!
Eda’s journey was one of my favorite parts. She’s fiercely devoted to her family, even when that leads her into trouble, and I loved watching her find her strength and become more sure of herself. The demon bargains, dark magic, and gothic setting made this such an atmospheric read.
This was a wonderful gothic romantasy, and the kind of book that feels perfect to curl up with in the fall. I loved it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4/5
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Berkley XO for the e-arc!
This is a delightful debut romantasy that stands out from many in the genre simply because of how elevated the writing is. This novel is atmospheric and the writing is just incredibly rich and filled with words I don't often see in books. It was just so fun to read this novel because of the turns of phrases and metaphors and similes that Charlotte uses. Truly, if you love books for their writing on a line level, this will astound you!
As for the marketing for this being gothic, that is purely aesthetic wise and somewhat thematically, but this book doesn't really try to emulate Gothic form or plot devices, so I wouldn't call it gothic really. Just a heads up!
I was a big fan of our main character Eda. Although she makes some frustrating choices, her character development is really well done and very coming of age in a way. I loved how she stood for what she believed in no matter what, but I almost wish she had a bit more depth in ways. I feel that for the character arcs and romance arc, this book does lean YA (and it is advertised as a cross-over fantasy) which just at times I found to be at odds with the more mature theme of religious corruption and how it was executed. But back to Eda, she's an admirable character and I really did like her!
Kit was a bit too stereotypical for me. I did love his love for humanity but I just think that the YA tone of his arc did him a disservice and just didn't allow me as a reader to fully sink my teeth into his psyche. His snark and quips were fun enough but never won me over.
In the same vein, the romance didn't win me over either. I wish it did!! But alas. It's really YA feeling. There's great banter but limited emotional growth if you ask me beyond basic romantic progress for a couple. I just think it lacked the darkness and intensity I was craving (he's a demon for Pete's sake!). But it was sweet, if not a touch too insta-lovey for my taste.
The plot is fun and done very well. I think the climax is a bunch of super convenient things happening at once, again feeling very YA, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The magic system, with bargains and mirrors that act as portals, was really cool! I wish we'd seen more of it in a way, since our knowledge of the demon world is really limited for the whole novel, but that is what the sequel is for.
The last paragraph or so just didn't work for me. I know it's setting up the sequel but I feel setting up an actual plot point briefly mentioned in more depth would have been better.
Either way I'm really excited to see what is in store for Eda in the sequel, and to see where Charlotte's career goes next! Grab this beauty (I mean the cover hello) on October 6th in bookstores :)
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Berkley XO for the e-arc!
This is a delightful debut romantasy that stands out from many in the genre simply because of how elevated the writing is. This novel is atmospheric and the writing is just incredibly rich and filled with words I don't often see in books. It was just so fun to read this novel because of the turns of phrases and metaphors and similes that Charlotte uses. Truly, if you love books for their writing on a line level, this will astound you!
As for the marketing for this being gothic, that is purely aesthetic wise and somewhat thematically, but this book doesn't really try to emulate Gothic form or plot devices, so I wouldn't call it gothic really. Just a heads up!
I was a big fan of our main character Eda. Although she makes some frustrating choices, her character development is really well done and very coming of age in a way. I loved how she stood for what she believed in no matter what, but I almost wish she had a bit more depth in ways. I feel that for the character arcs and romance arc, this book does lean YA (and it is advertised as a cross-over fantasy) which just at times I found to be at odds with the more mature theme of religious corruption and how it was executed. But back to Eda, she's an admirable character and I really did like her!
Kit was a bit too stereotypical for me. I did love his love for humanity but I just think that the YA tone of his arc did him a disservice and just didn't allow me as a reader to fully sink my teeth into his psyche. His snark and quips were fun enough but never won me over.
In the same vein, the romance didn't win me over either. I wish it did!! But alas. It's really YA feeling. There's great banter but limited emotional growth if you ask me beyond basic romantic progress for a couple. I just think it lacked the darkness and intensity I was craving (he's a demon for Pete's sake!). But it was sweet, if not a touch too insta-lovey for my taste.
The plot is fun and done very well. I think the climax is a bunch of super convenient things happening at once, again feeling very YA, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The magic system, with bargains and mirrors that act as portals, was really cool! I wish we'd seen more of it in a way, since our knowledge of the demon world is really limited for the whole novel, but that is what the sequel is for.
The last paragraph or so just didn't work for me. I know it's setting up the sequel but I feel setting up an actual plot point briefly mentioned in more depth would have been better.
Either way I'm really excited to see what is in store for Eda in the sequel, and to see where Charlotte's career goes next! Grab this beauty (I mean the cover hello) on October 6th in bookstores :)
September 10, 2026
Many thanks to Charlotte B. Plumb, Penguin, Berkley XO and Netgalley for the eARC!
3.5⭐️
this cozy, gothic fantasy with a sassy, troubled MMC and headstrong FMC was such an easy read. the premise, and world building was also really interesting with the magic system + the charm of religion, and role of the church in the politics here felt really different. this taught me to that you might pacts with demons to make your life easier but actually you doomed yourself and your future generations LOL
Kit stole the show for me - he's such a hilarious, dramatic MMC with a foul mouth. i really enjoyed the banter and flirting between him and Eda! their relationship also developed pretty naturally from forced allies to more, and despite their bickering, their dynamic seemed very balanced!
i was pretty excited for this given the hype around it, but it fell short in terms of pacing especially towards the 50% mark. many of the chapters were dragged out longer than necesssary and i felt like brisk-reading through most of the middle chunk.
this came off as a standalone but i think there might be a sequel coming out next year? which makes sense given the last paragraph. (thank god)
3.5⭐️
this cozy, gothic fantasy with a sassy, troubled MMC and headstrong FMC was such an easy read. the premise, and world building was also really interesting with the magic system + the charm of religion, and role of the church in the politics here felt really different. this taught me to that you might pacts with demons to make your life easier but actually you doomed yourself and your future generations LOL
Kit stole the show for me - he's such a hilarious, dramatic MMC with a foul mouth. i really enjoyed the banter and flirting between him and Eda! their relationship also developed pretty naturally from forced allies to more, and despite their bickering, their dynamic seemed very balanced!
i was pretty excited for this given the hype around it, but it fell short in terms of pacing especially towards the 50% mark. many of the chapters were dragged out longer than necesssary and i felt like brisk-reading through most of the middle chunk.
this came off as a standalone but i think there might be a sequel coming out next year? which makes sense given the last paragraph. (thank god)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Berkeley XO and NetGalley for the gifted arc!! I loved this AND it can be read as a standalone (I know it’s not a standalone but if you ignore the last paragraph of the book it absolutely works as one). I’m so impressed that this is the author’s debut—her writing is fantastic and the gothic atmosphere was so atmospheric. I will say that although this is a book box’s upcoming YA pick, I would not classify this as YA—from what I understand, it’s NA in the US and YA in the UK.
This book follows Eda Shaw. She and her brothers are bound to a demon bargain made by their father, and they facilitate demon pacts through the gateway mirror in the basement of their antique shop. When Eda’s brothers are arrested, she narrowly escapes and makes a deal with a different demon, Kit (the MMC), to save her brothers. This world is super religious, and I loved how much the author talked about the church’s hypocrisy.
Kit is genuinely SO funny. I wasn’t expecting the humor in this, but I enjoyed it so much. He and Eda begin as reluctant allies that slowly become something more. I felt like their relationship developed so naturally, and their banter was top tier. The tension and yearning was so good.
With how short and fast-paced this was, I was very impressed by the character development and the worldbuilding. I was so invested in the characters, and I can’t wait to read more about them in the next book. The side characters were perfect—specifically Tripp and Robin. For the most part, this book takes place in/around their town, Blackbridge, but I definitely think it will expand more in the next book. Like I said, although it CAN be read as a standalone, I’ll be reading book two as soon as it comes out.
This book follows Eda Shaw. She and her brothers are bound to a demon bargain made by their father, and they facilitate demon pacts through the gateway mirror in the basement of their antique shop. When Eda’s brothers are arrested, she narrowly escapes and makes a deal with a different demon, Kit (the MMC), to save her brothers. This world is super religious, and I loved how much the author talked about the church’s hypocrisy.
Kit is genuinely SO funny. I wasn’t expecting the humor in this, but I enjoyed it so much. He and Eda begin as reluctant allies that slowly become something more. I felt like their relationship developed so naturally, and their banter was top tier. The tension and yearning was so good.
With how short and fast-paced this was, I was very impressed by the character development and the worldbuilding. I was so invested in the characters, and I can’t wait to read more about them in the next book. The side characters were perfect—specifically Tripp and Robin. For the most part, this book takes place in/around their town, Blackbridge, but I definitely think it will expand more in the next book. Like I said, although it CAN be read as a standalone, I’ll be reading book two as soon as it comes out.
October 7, 2026
I haven’t had this much fun reading a new adult book since finishing The Crimson Moth by Cristin Ciccarelli.
This was such a fun and fast-paced story, with strong endearing characters, and just the right amount of sizzle in the romance.
The test of a good romantic fantasy is if you can take the romance and turn it platonic and see if the story would still stand on its own, and I think this passes that test. Our main character makes a deal with a demon to save her brothers, but her commitment in saving them always remains the priority.
The romance was fun and flirty and only amplified the story in a strong secondary manner which is my preference by far. It also didn’t fall prey to an abundance of lust and honestly felt really emotion based and sweet.
I was so impressed by this debut, it made for a really strong standalone…but after that ending, I am hopeful that we might get a sequel.
The audio was absolutely incredible, and it is one that I could see myself listening to again when I need something light and fun in the future. The single POV, dual narration was very well cast.
If you genuinely enjoy new adult fantasy, I think this is one of the best books I’ve read in that genre this year! I genuinely can’t wait to see what this author does next, and I will be cheering her on in the future.
This was such a fun and fast-paced story, with strong endearing characters, and just the right amount of sizzle in the romance.
The test of a good romantic fantasy is if you can take the romance and turn it platonic and see if the story would still stand on its own, and I think this passes that test. Our main character makes a deal with a demon to save her brothers, but her commitment in saving them always remains the priority.
The romance was fun and flirty and only amplified the story in a strong secondary manner which is my preference by far. It also didn’t fall prey to an abundance of lust and honestly felt really emotion based and sweet.
I was so impressed by this debut, it made for a really strong standalone…but after that ending, I am hopeful that we might get a sequel.
The audio was absolutely incredible, and it is one that I could see myself listening to again when I need something light and fun in the future. The single POV, dual narration was very well cast.
If you genuinely enjoy new adult fantasy, I think this is one of the best books I’ve read in that genre this year! I genuinely can’t wait to see what this author does next, and I will be cheering her on in the future.
October 6, 2026
A Sharp, Spellbinding Tale of Sacrifice and Shades of Gray
Reap & Sow delivers a sharp, engaging fantasy that hooked me from the start. Eda’s desperate bargain with Kit, a demon bound by his own rules, sets the tone for a story built on tension, sacrifice, and uneasy alliances. What I loved most was the moral complexity woven through their dynamic. More than once, Eda drifted into the morally gray far deeper than Kit, an inversion that made their partnership unpredictable and compelling.
The stakes feel real, the pacing stays tight, and the emotional beats land with satisfying weight. Plumb balances dark magic, loyalty, and character growth in a way that kept me invested all the way through. A strong, atmospheric read with a protagonist who isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty when it comes to saving the people she loves.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley XO for this ARC copy. All opinions are my own.
Reap & Sow delivers a sharp, engaging fantasy that hooked me from the start. Eda’s desperate bargain with Kit, a demon bound by his own rules, sets the tone for a story built on tension, sacrifice, and uneasy alliances. What I loved most was the moral complexity woven through their dynamic. More than once, Eda drifted into the morally gray far deeper than Kit, an inversion that made their partnership unpredictable and compelling.
The stakes feel real, the pacing stays tight, and the emotional beats land with satisfying weight. Plumb balances dark magic, loyalty, and character growth in a way that kept me invested all the way through. A strong, atmospheric read with a protagonist who isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty when it comes to saving the people she loves.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley XO for this ARC copy. All opinions are my own.
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