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The Thorner Brothers #1
Bargaining
Not yet published
Expected 15 Jul 26I promised not to fall. He’s making it impossible.
When Cole Thorner walks into my father’s funeral, I can barely breathe.
He’s the boy who shattered my heart a decade ago—now a ruthless billionaire CEO who shouldn’t be here. But Cole hasn’t come to pay respects. He’s come with a proposal: honor the pact we made as teenagers and marry him for one year. In exchange? Five million pounds and the chance to save my family home from ruin.
It’s meant to be a business arrangement—nothing more. Cole needs to soften his icy reputation, and I’m the perfect candidate: the lovely, charming girl-next-door. He’s made it clear he has zero interest in being a real husband, and I’m determined to protect what’s left of my heart.
But then he takes me to Rome.
The city I’ve dreamed of becomes our honeymoon backdrop, and suddenly the boundaries I’ve drawn start to blur. The chemistry between us is undeniable.
So why does falling for Cole Thorner again feel like the most dangerous bargain I’ve ever made?
Bargaining is the first novel in the Thorner Brothers series—a billionaire romance with genuine emotional depth that takes readers from grief and heartbreak to healing and hope, perfect for fans of T L Swan and Rosa Lucas.
When Cole Thorner walks into my father’s funeral, I can barely breathe.
He’s the boy who shattered my heart a decade ago—now a ruthless billionaire CEO who shouldn’t be here. But Cole hasn’t come to pay respects. He’s come with a proposal: honor the pact we made as teenagers and marry him for one year. In exchange? Five million pounds and the chance to save my family home from ruin.
It’s meant to be a business arrangement—nothing more. Cole needs to soften his icy reputation, and I’m the perfect candidate: the lovely, charming girl-next-door. He’s made it clear he has zero interest in being a real husband, and I’m determined to protect what’s left of my heart.
But then he takes me to Rome.
The city I’ve dreamed of becomes our honeymoon backdrop, and suddenly the boundaries I’ve drawn start to blur. The chemistry between us is undeniable.
So why does falling for Cole Thorner again feel like the most dangerous bargain I’ve ever made?
Bargaining is the first novel in the Thorner Brothers series—a billionaire romance with genuine emotional depth that takes readers from grief and heartbreak to healing and hope, perfect for fans of T L Swan and Rosa Lucas.
- GenresRomance
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 15, 2026
7 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Sasha Lace
11 books183 followersSasha Lace used to be a very serious scientist before she ditched the lab coat and started writing kissing books. Sasha lives in the North of England and is a mom of two young boys. Everyone in her family is soccer mad, so she knows way more about soccer than she ever wanted to know. As a scientist and mom, her hobbies include: mulling over the complexities of the universe, treading barefoot on Lego, chipping dried Play-Doh from fabric surfaces, dried flower arranging (because you can’t kill something twice), and writing about herself in the third person.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Not quite done with the book yet, but there's just something I couldn't get over: I think there’s something to be said about starting off your book with the statement that billionaires are bad and they shouldn’t exist, but then supporting Amazon by publishing your book with them. Are you not actively helping Amazon make more money here? Like “oh fuck billionaires, but support this billionaire’s company.” Idk, I’m confused.
As for my actual review, I ended up DNF-ing at 20%. Don't like either mc, and frankly, I don't care to keep trying. Not for me.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As for my actual review, I ended up DNF-ing at 20%. Don't like either mc, and frankly, I don't care to keep trying. Not for me.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 21, 2026
ARC review from NetGalley!
If you’re looking for a light spicy romance read, this hits the spot.
Charlotte’s childhood crush re appears after her father passes away. The light hearted boy she knew is now a billionaire stone cold asshole. And he’s arrived with a business proposition for her. Marry me and be my wife for show, and receive five million pounds. Not what every woman wants to hear the day of her father’s funeral. But as they spend more time together, the edges blur for what feelings are real and what is pretend.
I think the tropes for this book were done very well! If you like a good grumpy vs. sunshine AND marriage of convenience… this is definitely your book! Oh, and it’s also spicy as hell. Perfect for a quick romance beach read!
If you’re looking for a light spicy romance read, this hits the spot.
Charlotte’s childhood crush re appears after her father passes away. The light hearted boy she knew is now a billionaire stone cold asshole. And he’s arrived with a business proposition for her. Marry me and be my wife for show, and receive five million pounds. Not what every woman wants to hear the day of her father’s funeral. But as they spend more time together, the edges blur for what feelings are real and what is pretend.
I think the tropes for this book were done very well! If you like a good grumpy vs. sunshine AND marriage of convenience… this is definitely your book! Oh, and it’s also spicy as hell. Perfect for a quick romance beach read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m giving this one a 4-star review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I was a bit torn initially because Bargaining by Sasha Lace is my first billionaire book ever, and some of the genre's typical elements felt a bit weird or even far-fetched to me. But as I got deeper into the story, I realized I loved it too much to give it anything less!
A huge thank you to NetGalley, the author Sasha Lace, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC! All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
I absolutely loved Cole as the MMC. He has that sweet soul hidden behind a hard facade, and he is clearly still pining for his first love—our FMC, Charlotte. It takes him some fake wedding vows to fully realize it, but the fact that he just wants to win her back from pretty much the beginning just does it for me. I was rooting for him the whole book through! Yes, I know he made mistakes, but honestly? I don't care—I totally forgive him.
The Good:
Cole is the ultimate standout. His dedication to winning Charlotte back makes for a very compelling second-chance romance. The emotional tension during the fake wedding vows was a major highlight that really brought their history to the surface.
The Not So Good:
Being new to the billionaire trope, there were some moments that felt a little "ick" or unrealistic for my personal taste. I’ll definitely be reading more of this trope soon just to get used to those specific genre quirks!
I was a bit torn initially because Bargaining by Sasha Lace is my first billionaire book ever, and some of the genre's typical elements felt a bit weird or even far-fetched to me. But as I got deeper into the story, I realized I loved it too much to give it anything less!
A huge thank you to NetGalley, the author Sasha Lace, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC! All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
I absolutely loved Cole as the MMC. He has that sweet soul hidden behind a hard facade, and he is clearly still pining for his first love—our FMC, Charlotte. It takes him some fake wedding vows to fully realize it, but the fact that he just wants to win her back from pretty much the beginning just does it for me. I was rooting for him the whole book through! Yes, I know he made mistakes, but honestly? I don't care—I totally forgive him.
The Good:
Cole is the ultimate standout. His dedication to winning Charlotte back makes for a very compelling second-chance romance. The emotional tension during the fake wedding vows was a major highlight that really brought their history to the surface.
The Not So Good:
Being new to the billionaire trope, there were some moments that felt a little "ick" or unrealistic for my personal taste. I’ll definitely be reading more of this trope soon just to get used to those specific genre quirks!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2026
Reseña de ARC
Si buscás una lectura corta, ágil y disfrutás de lo predecibles que pueden ser estas historias, este es el libro ideal. En general, la obra está bien; aunque no presenta nada que no se haya leído antes en el género, está bien escrita y logra atrapar al lector desde el inicio.
Lo que me gustó:
• El estilo de la autora: Tiene una narrativa fluida y no pierde el tiempo en descripciones innecesarias.
• La química: El vínculo entre Charlotte y Cole no tarda en aparecer, algo fundamental en una historia de este ritmo.
• Manejo del contenido spicy: Aunque temía que el libro cayera en un exceso de escenas explícitas, la mayoría de los momentos de intimidad tienen una razón de ser dentro del desarrollo de la pareja, salvo algunas excepciones.
Lo que no me convenció:
• La protagonista y el duelo: Me resultó muy repetitivo el tratamiento de la muerte del padre. Al ser un personaje con el que el lector no llega a conectar emocionalmente, las constantes alusiones y el llanto recurrente de la protagonista terminan volviéndose densos y cortan el ritmo de la historia.
Conclusión:
Es una lectura amena y rápida. Si te gustan los tropes de matrimonio por conveniencia con un toque spicy y buscás algo ligero, cumple su función perfectamente. No es una historia novedosa ni la mejor en su rubro, pero es ideal para pasar el rato.
Si buscás una lectura corta, ágil y disfrutás de lo predecibles que pueden ser estas historias, este es el libro ideal. En general, la obra está bien; aunque no presenta nada que no se haya leído antes en el género, está bien escrita y logra atrapar al lector desde el inicio.
Lo que me gustó:
• El estilo de la autora: Tiene una narrativa fluida y no pierde el tiempo en descripciones innecesarias.
• La química: El vínculo entre Charlotte y Cole no tarda en aparecer, algo fundamental en una historia de este ritmo.
• Manejo del contenido spicy: Aunque temía que el libro cayera en un exceso de escenas explícitas, la mayoría de los momentos de intimidad tienen una razón de ser dentro del desarrollo de la pareja, salvo algunas excepciones.
Lo que no me convenció:
• La protagonista y el duelo: Me resultó muy repetitivo el tratamiento de la muerte del padre. Al ser un personaje con el que el lector no llega a conectar emocionalmente, las constantes alusiones y el llanto recurrente de la protagonista terminan volviéndose densos y cortan el ritmo de la historia.
Conclusión:
Es una lectura amena y rápida. Si te gustan los tropes de matrimonio por conveniencia con un toque spicy y buscás algo ligero, cumple su función perfectamente. No es una historia novedosa ni la mejor en su rubro, pero es ideal para pasar el rato.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"Bargaining" is an oddly titled but fairly simple romance.
Cole Thorner is a demanding, icy boss who sits upon a huge family fortune. His father is one of his main rivals.
Our heroine, Charlotte Akroyd, is a down-on-her-luck artist who has recently lost her beloved father. Said father was actually Cole's tutor back in his childhood, and their household was a refuge for Cole from his brutal father's world.
Best friends as children, they've long been parted--but the death of her father, and Cole's business needs, bring them together again. In particular, Cole believes if he had a nice partner, part of a nicer overall reputation for himself, his shareholders would rally around him more than they do. And thus Cole casts his eye on the grown-up Charlotte.
The book itself was a straightforward romance (with a lot of fiscal wish fulfillment. Exotic trips, fancy wardrobes, money to burn--you get it.) It's a business-infused version of a beach read, essentially, with all that implies. It's light, it's a fast read, it's not going to give you unique characters or a particularly complex plot. And that's fine, so I'm giving the book the Goodreads rating of 2 stars for being just okay.
With gratitude to Netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Cole Thorner is a demanding, icy boss who sits upon a huge family fortune. His father is one of his main rivals.
Our heroine, Charlotte Akroyd, is a down-on-her-luck artist who has recently lost her beloved father. Said father was actually Cole's tutor back in his childhood, and their household was a refuge for Cole from his brutal father's world.
Best friends as children, they've long been parted--but the death of her father, and Cole's business needs, bring them together again. In particular, Cole believes if he had a nice partner, part of a nicer overall reputation for himself, his shareholders would rally around him more than they do. And thus Cole casts his eye on the grown-up Charlotte.
The book itself was a straightforward romance (with a lot of fiscal wish fulfillment. Exotic trips, fancy wardrobes, money to burn--you get it.) It's a business-infused version of a beach read, essentially, with all that implies. It's light, it's a fast read, it's not going to give you unique characters or a particularly complex plot. And that's fine, so I'm giving the book the Goodreads rating of 2 stars for being just okay.
With gratitude to Netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this book an as ARC from NetGalley. The MMC needed to get it together and for probably 30% of the book I wanted to hit him upside the head and confess his true feelings for the FMC. Once they got it together only for the MMC to leave the FMC again for a business meeting and then she left him to go back home. I think he should have done more graveling to win her back other than giving her space and trying to win her back by being friends. The FMC had gone through too much from the loss of the MMC and the loss of her father that she just had to do everything alone. She wanted to be cared for and the MMC thought caring only meant monetary wise. I felt the end was a bit rushed once the FMC discovers he left due to her father asking him to and it felt more of a brush over in that part. It was nice that the MMC helped the FMC restore that house and left his job. That also felt out of place from him being a workaholic to just being a retired CEO.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bargaining was a solid read with some elements I really enjoyed and others that fell a bit flat for me. The marriage of convenience trope is always a fun one, and it worked well here especially layered on top of a second chance romance between two people who clearly never stopped caring for each other.
Charlotte had a passion for art felt genuine and added a warmth to her character that I found really endearing. Watching her find her way back to that part of herself was a highlight.
Cole was a bit of a mixed bag. His anger felt over the top at times he had a tendency to treat people harshly, which made it hard to root for him, even if he was perfectly sweet with her.
Unexpectedly, my favorite character ended up being Cole’s brother. He doesn’t get a ton of page time, but every time he popped up, he stole the scene.
If you enjoy billionaire second-chance romances, you will enjoy this!
Charlotte had a passion for art felt genuine and added a warmth to her character that I found really endearing. Watching her find her way back to that part of herself was a highlight.
Cole was a bit of a mixed bag. His anger felt over the top at times he had a tendency to treat people harshly, which made it hard to root for him, even if he was perfectly sweet with her.
Unexpectedly, my favorite character ended up being Cole’s brother. He doesn’t get a ton of page time, but every time he popped up, he stole the scene.
If you enjoy billionaire second-chance romances, you will enjoy this!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book is full of tropes but it does them well. It establishes an ongoing series of the Thorner brothers, Cole, Lucas, Theo and Reuben, and I’m looking forward to reading them too.
Cole and Charlotte’s story features a lot of tropes. Cole is a cold billionaire and Charlotte is an everyday person, humbled by life but still quite positive. They are childhood sweethearts reunited by sad circumstances to enter into marriage of convenience, for reputational and financial perks.
Obviously, that’s not where the story ends for them. The characters have lots of growth (and i LOVE that Cole goes to a therapist by the end).
My only gripe with this book is I wish that he achieved some more balance with his life, that we saw the changes he was going to make in the company, and didn’t completely quit his job to be the better man. However maybe this is part of the greater plot and will result in Lucas Thorner running more of the business? We’ll have to find out.
Cole and Charlotte’s story features a lot of tropes. Cole is a cold billionaire and Charlotte is an everyday person, humbled by life but still quite positive. They are childhood sweethearts reunited by sad circumstances to enter into marriage of convenience, for reputational and financial perks.
Obviously, that’s not where the story ends for them. The characters have lots of growth (and i LOVE that Cole goes to a therapist by the end).
My only gripe with this book is I wish that he achieved some more balance with his life, that we saw the changes he was going to make in the company, and didn’t completely quit his job to be the better man. However maybe this is part of the greater plot and will result in Lucas Thorner running more of the business? We’ll have to find out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’ll be honest—since this wasn’t my first dive into the billionaire trope, this book was so good compared to them. But however, some of the genre quirks felt a bit far fetched at first. But the deeper I got into Bargaining, the more I realized I was totally hooked on the story.
Cole is the ultimate standout MMC. He has that classic hard facade, but underneath is a sweet soul who has been pining for his first love, Charlotte, from the very beginning. Watching him use "fake wedding vows" just to get closer to her? I was sold. I know he’s made mistakes, but his dedication to winning her back made me forgive him almost instantly.
The emotional tension in this second-chance romance is top-tier. Even though the billionaire lifestyle took some getting used to, the heart of the story—Cole and Charlotte’s history—is what kept me turning the pages. I’m officially ready to dive deeper into this trope!
Cole is the ultimate standout MMC. He has that classic hard facade, but underneath is a sweet soul who has been pining for his first love, Charlotte, from the very beginning. Watching him use "fake wedding vows" just to get closer to her? I was sold. I know he’s made mistakes, but his dedication to winning her back made me forgive him almost instantly.
The emotional tension in this second-chance romance is top-tier. Even though the billionaire lifestyle took some getting used to, the heart of the story—Cole and Charlotte’s history—is what kept me turning the pages. I’m officially ready to dive deeper into this trope!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bargaining had me hooked from the start - second chance romance + marriage of convenience + billionaire drama?? Say less, I ate that up in one sitting. 🫶
BUT… let’s be real for a second.
The whole billionaire aspect felt kinda… questionable??
Also — there’s a LOT of spice. 🌶️
Not unbearable, but definitely more than I personally needed. I feel like one or two scenes would’ve done the job just fine, but if you’re here for the tension + smut combo, you’ll probably be happy. 👀
That said… if you switch your brain off a little and just go with the vibes, it’s actually a really fun read. Rome setting?? Dreamy. Chemistry?? There. Emotional moments?? Surprisingly decent.
So yeah - not the most polished or realistic romance ever, but still addictive and easy to binge. 📖✨
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK | Montlake for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. 📚
BUT… let’s be real for a second.
The whole billionaire aspect felt kinda… questionable??
Also — there’s a LOT of spice. 🌶️
Not unbearable, but definitely more than I personally needed. I feel like one or two scenes would’ve done the job just fine, but if you’re here for the tension + smut combo, you’ll probably be happy. 👀
That said… if you switch your brain off a little and just go with the vibes, it’s actually a really fun read. Rome setting?? Dreamy. Chemistry?? There. Emotional moments?? Surprisingly decent.
So yeah - not the most polished or realistic romance ever, but still addictive and easy to binge. 📖✨
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK | Montlake for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. 📚
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bargaining by Sasha Lace had a strong premise—second chance romance with that billionaire edge—but it just didn’t fully come together for me.
There were parts of the story that worked. The idea of revisiting a past relationship with all the history, tension, and unresolved feelings is there, and you can see the potential for something with that.
But overall, I struggled to stay engaged. The pacing felt off, and at times it seemed to drag a bit too much for me.
I also found the emotional pull wasn’t quite as strong as I was hoping for in a second-chance story. Those usually rely heavily on depth and chemistry, and this one didn’t fully hit that mark for me.
I did finish it, but it took some effort. Not a bad read—just one that didn’t quite land the way I wanted it to. I appreciate the early read from NetGalley on this one.
There were parts of the story that worked. The idea of revisiting a past relationship with all the history, tension, and unresolved feelings is there, and you can see the potential for something with that.
But overall, I struggled to stay engaged. The pacing felt off, and at times it seemed to drag a bit too much for me.
I also found the emotional pull wasn’t quite as strong as I was hoping for in a second-chance story. Those usually rely heavily on depth and chemistry, and this one didn’t fully hit that mark for me.
I did finish it, but it took some effort. Not a bad read—just one that didn’t quite land the way I wanted it to. I appreciate the early read from NetGalley on this one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this book as an ARC from Net Galley. Cole and Charlotte reconnect after she loses her dad. Cole, the grumpy MMC, and Charlotte, the FMC, enter a marriage of convenience. This second chance romance, marriage of convenience is an easy read. I thought this was a good book overall and enjoyed the progression of the relationship between the main characters. I did feel that this book ended quicker than I would’ve expected but overall, it was enjoyable to read! I’ll be keeping an eye out for the following books featuring the brothers.
Thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for this ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"I was deeply impressed by this book; the character development, the plot, and the overall execution were fantastic. It was such a gripping read that I’m already looking forward to the stories of the other Thorner brothers. This was my first time reading Sasha Lace, and since the blurb mentioned that fans of T.L. Swan and Rosa Lucas would love it, I had high expectations—and I definitely wasn't disappointed. It’s a well-written, captivating story with plenty of spice! 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I received a free digital copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review."
I received a free digital copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review."
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I like this book it was to the point they were both stubborn for different reasons, childhood best friends made a silly pact, but lifr gets messy when they see eachother as adults again...Will they hold that pact up? Will they make it forever? Will they still have the same hidden feelings?
There were surprises I didnt expect and in the end you know if you read ANY OF MY REVIEWS... I love em a little broken 🖤🖤...
Childhood best friend's
Contract marriage/pact
Protective MMC
Stubborn FMC
Grief
There were surprises I didnt expect and in the end you know if you read ANY OF MY REVIEWS... I love em a little broken 🖤🖤...
Childhood best friend's
Contract marriage/pact
Protective MMC
Stubborn FMC
Grief
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A marriage of convenience and second chance romance with good banter and spice.
Cole being a billionaire feels unrealistic and unnecessary, but that’s always the case in these books. However his character development redeemed this book for me! Cole takes time to work on himself and does so without expecting anything in return.
Cole being a billionaire feels unrealistic and unnecessary, but that’s always the case in these books. However his character development redeemed this book for me! Cole takes time to work on himself and does so without expecting anything in return.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a nice easy entertaining read and a good romance story.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sometimes a book just doesn't hit the mark, and that's okay! 📖
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love Sasha's books - they are sexy, funny and well-written, and Bargaining is no exception to this! The perfect summer romance read
Review of advance copy received from Author
Got to say this made me blush in the best way possible. Funny, sexy and a great time. Hard recommend for fans of billionaire romances and well-written romance.
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