Of Bargains & Betrayal

Pantheon of Lies #1

by Ashley Bresee

A ruthless king wants her future, but his mage already owns her past.

When Enora Wynn travels to Grimmoria for a marriage alliance, the princess-turned-soldier expects the loss of her freedom in a loveless union. Instead, she’s abandoned at the border, branded a criminal, and told the king she was promised to is dead.

Then she meets his heir.

Maksym is ruthless and dangerous. He should have ended her the moment she crossed his border, but offers up a bargain instead: survive their deadly military trials, and he will claim Enora as his bride.

In Grimmoria, though, her greatest threat isn’t the trials—it’s the high mage at Maksym’s side.

Jasper was once the boy who vanished from Enora’s life and left her heart in pieces. Now he’s a man made of secrets and restraint, with his very presence threatening to surface everything she buried to survive.

And the further Enora finds herself tangled between the king who claimed her future and the mage who destroyed her past, she must decide where her loyalty truly lies: with the kingdom she vowed to serve…or the enemies who feel dangerously like home.

Genres: Why Choose, Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Magic, Slow Burn, Dark Romantasy

498 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 20, 2026

About the author

Ashley is a serial daydreamer with a passion for emotionally damaging romantasy.

You’ll find her stories set in otherworldly places, featuring flawed characters who grapple with trauma and their sense of belonging in their journeys—all with healthy pinches of spice, of course. She has a soft spot for slow burns, found family, and basically anyone to lovers, so you can count on finding elements of those (& more!) in her books.

When she’s not writing until she loses all sense of time and space, you can find her reading all genres of romance, gaming with her partner, or entertaining their two ferrets in beautiful SouthernAlberta.

If you want to learn more about Ashley and her books, you can visit www.ashleybreseebooks.com or follow her on Instagram at @ashbreseewrites

Reviews

[neurotic.bookdragon]

Thank you to the author for making me one of their ARC readers 🥹❤️‍🔥 as always it’s been such a privilege!
3.75⭐️ rounded up

JEEZ 😭 you can always count on Ashley to write the meanest cliffhanger 💔
I really enjoyed this very much, the banter & tension was exquisite, Eilir stole my heart, I’m sucker for an eye patch & horns, and overall the storyline was entertaining —but— I wish there had been MORE of Ashley’s signature “HURT” 🥲 as someone who SOBBED through all of the Fires of Carinae (and consider it one of my all time favorite series ever) I had just hoped for a similar level of agony hahah —yes I’m a masochists sue me 😂
That being said, I’m eagerly awaiting book 2 as I have a feeling it will deliver so much more on that point, and the cliffhanger has set us up for some crazy shit!!!!

[✨ Jenny ✨]

Thank you so much to Ashley Bresee for sending me the ARC.

i’m literally staring at the last page completely lost for words… like wtt just happened.. that cliffhanger had me in a chokehold and i have so many questions i don’t even know where to start. the story centers around Enora, a princess turned soldier who arrives expecting a political marriage and instead finds herself branded a criminal and thrown into deadly military trials. all while navigating the reappearance of someone from her past she never fully got over. the character building throughout was one of my favorite parts. i love the little sprite! jaspers my guy, definitely rooting for him. Enora has this idgaf attitude, she’s a bit stubborn and strong willed in ways that felt relatable and the slow unraveling of her emotions and trauma made her easy to root for. the back and forth between her and jasper and max was entertaining and the yearning was so good between her and the two men, which leaves me to ask why do we need to choose haha that last 20% is where everything went crazy!! the plot was plotting, the revelations were hitting, and i was completely unprepared. there is still so much to uncover and i need book two now!!

[KaylaLaz]

Of Bargains & Betrayal is the first book in the Pantheon of Lies series.

This is very much a character-based fantasy romance, at least this first book. The tension between all three of our characters is INSANE! Maksym (Max) is hilarious trying to understand and get to know Enora, the banter between them is hilarious. Jasper is a dark and broody mage that is hiding secrets from his past. Enora is just trying to survive after she realizes things about her family that are hard to swallow.

Even though I did really enjoy this book, there wasn’t very much that happens, until about the 75% mark. Then I think the ending was a little rushed and things were just thrown at you so we could get to the end. With that being said, I still want book two NOW, because I think it will be insane.

Eilir is probably my favourite character in this book 😂 they are a sprite that helps Enora adapt to her new life. They are so cute and sassy, and I was smiling every time they were on page.

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review.

[Ashley {_xamountofbooks}]

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via the author)

Overall, thought this was an easy read. I did struggle with Enora at times it felt like she acted younger than her thirties. Also felt the characters could have communicated a bit better. That being said, I thought the tension with Max and Jasper was good. I adored Eilir immediately upon meeting them. Will probably pick up the next one after that ending though!

[Maria P]

° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓛;𝓓𝓡 ✧˖°
A series why-choose romantasy perfect for readers looking for a potential throuple stuck in their angst phase, loveable side characters that are only too happy to make fun of them, and a compelling storyline that won't leave them (or you) alone.

° ˖✧ 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
4.5 ⭐
2 🌶️

° ˖✧ 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
"That you've made it this far with that mouth is astounding."
"You know, I'd say my mouth is one of my more redeeming qualities."

They were going to kill each other. Maim, at the very least. Maybe even matching eyepatches.

I would've walked straight into the ocean if it meant Gallan called me a good girl again.

"What happened to you, Nor? What the fuck did they do to you in Odessa?"

° ˖✧ 𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 ✧˖°
Princess Enora must beat the military trials when her promised king dies to be worthy of marrying his heir, prince Maksym. But when his high mage Jasper is the ex that broke her heart, she must push her emotions down to survive.

° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
🔺 Love Triangle
3️⃣ Series Why Choose
💍 Marriage of Convenience
2️⃣ Second Chance
⚔️ Deadly Trials
🔐 Secrets & Betrayal
🪪 Hidden Identity
👑 Court Intrigue
🔗 Captor x Captive (ish)

° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
🪦 Death and Grief
🩸 War Violence
💨 Abandonment
🆘 Memory of SA

° ˖✧ 𝓛𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
+ Compelling Storyline
+ Funny Banter/Internal Thoughts
+ Emotional Upheaval
+ Angsty Trio Dynamics
+ Loveable Side Characters
+ Training and Trials
+ Lots of Microtropes
+ Surprising Ending

° ˖✧ 𝓓𝓲𝓼𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
- Some conflicts felt repetitive when MCs couldn't deal with emotions
- Similar POV tones could occasionally be confusing
- Often blindsided with Enora, would've loved more insight

° ˖✧ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 ✧˖°
As soon as I read the blurb, I knew this would be a solid read for me! The tropes and overall conflict felt right up my alley, and when I got a feel for the writing style over the first few pages I was so excited!

Princess Enora has been dealt a tough hand, even more so as she progresses into this story. Just when she thought she was finally getting a handle on the strange situations she found herself in, the rug would be pulled out from under her again. Her struggles are evident in every page, and her anger and despair is believable.

However, I do wish that the trio of main characters weren't all so emotionally stunted. Enora resorts to anger at the drop of a hat, Max doesn't know how to handle anyone else's emotions seriously, and Jasper thinks he can ignore everything that doesn't fit his plan. Between the three of them there were times where the drama felt repeated as a result.

Though I didn't really mind this because the angst between the three of them was so good! The reveal of Jasper as Enora's ex was delicious, as was Max's constant failed attempts at connecting to Enora. Even the dynamic between the boys was really fun. Their dialogue and internal thoughts were hilarious and added some great levity in between the near-constant trauma.

We mostly read from Enora's POV but we do occasionally swap to the boys. Though sometimes it was hard for me to tell exactly who was speaking as they all had a similar tone. There were also times where I felt just as confused as Enora, which wasn't always great. I would've loved some more insight in key moments!

I also adored the side characters - Gallan and Eilir are so sweet (I even loved Theo and Joyce who we only saw for a few chapters at the start)! Plus the training and trails were stunning to read about. There were tons of microtropes which I loved such as only one horse and sensitive horns!

The ending was completely unexpected in the best way. I can't wait to see how these twists play out in book 2! Everyone's world has shifted again and it'll be interesting to see how each of them cope...

Thank you to Ashley Bresee for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Ashley(burntedgesandbooks)]

What ending was that?
like I don't have my breath back, I cannot think straight.
Give me a second.
I have no words. this book was everything. the way it was written it was just kept me glues to my kindle and this book. sometimes hunched over my kindle.
this story is told so well, flowing effortlessly. the worlds building had no pressure it just flowed out of the story like everything else. unfolding in a wonderful way!.
the character were so well written. I lived each and every only of them. the main FMC was so greet. I felt like her and I would be great besties! I love her attitude and her sass. It help so much going through the book with her personality.
OUR MMCs now they stole the show, or at least to me. There is no way I can say no to a good why choose. This one is a perfect slowww burn and every so exciting! King Maksyn sounded so good looking, wings, horns, the whole package. (need I say more?) I know he has so much more growing in this book and I cannot wait to see it all!
Jasper, the mage, also need I say more? I have so many questions about this man, about both of them really but Jasper, a lot, a lot I cannot wait to discover them. I also am really excited to see how he grows and how things go on between him and Enora(FMC).
I know I saw this a lot but I cannot say enough about this next character. they are so adorable and i cannot wait for you to meet him! Our little sprite, Ellir. They were...are the perfect piece of this story. they were so caring and so much fun! They make such a fun, and exiting little adventure. .

This you Ashley Bressee and her team for this ARC opportunity, all thoughts and opinions are my own!

[Joy Dinolfo]

WHAT was that ending?!

I went into this expecting a slow-burn/ why choose but the betrayal in this book, so well done. Enora’s whole life gets turned upside down, but she still has faith in the people who raised her even when she absolutely should not!
her dad??? Holding her while she cried over the man with two names (no spoilers here lol) leaving, while also sending him away?! That’s a no
For me bro

Enora’s whole “I’ll prove I can do it myself” attitude and how much she wants to be one of the guys hit home
For me, touching on addiction was spot on, you really feel the desperation for escape and the history and betrayal had me all kinds of invested in her story, I am intrigued to see how the relationships pan out. You can see where it’s heading and the king is just an understanding dude.

But that ending?! I DID NOT SEE IT COMING. And somehow it couldn’t have ended better while also making me absolutely desperate for the next book.

Side note…. “But I look forward to
Getting acquainted again, boy” ☠️
I need the next book. Like, yesterday.

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️.5

Tropes:
• Fae romantasy
• Slow-burn romance
• Enemies to lovers
• Betrayal
• Court intrigue
• Hidden secrets
• love triangle to why choose
• Strong-willed heroine
• blood bargains
• Forced separation

[Alina Bryson]

Review of ARC copy received from author:

OH MAN, what was that ending? It left on 2 of the possibly biggest cliffhangers ever, in the worst but best way possible! I need the next book NOW. I could not put down this book, and all I wanted to do from when I started it was continue reading. It captivated me from page one. Multiple times throughout this book I was giggling or laughing out loud!

Enora is a uniquely emotional character (rightfully so), with a sense of humor. I loved that she didn’t have any magic and was actually a soldier in her army even though she’s a princess. It was a nice refresh. She was someone thrown into a situation where all solutions were bad and she chose to make the most of her situation. She was very relatable.

I absolutely loved all the backstory we got from the beginning, it gave depth to the characters and made them more real. It also helped explain why they acted the ways they did.

Eilir had to be my favorite character! They were so cute and bubbly and just a really great way.

Last but not least, THE LOVE TRIANGLE. THE LOVE TRIANGLE WAS SO GOOD, it might be one of my favorite parts in this book specifically and I don’t normally enjoy love triangles.

This book releases on August 20th! Go order it so you can get it on release!

[Tanja Braun]

4.5 ⭐️

ARC REVIEW

Uh boy where do I begin. It did take me a bit of time to be enthralled with the story and its characters. However, as this is book 1 of a series the world building in the beginning is absolutely necessary and for me the rest of the storyline totally makes up for it.
I am absolutely hyped for Enora, Jasper and Maksym and can’t wait to see what’s next in their story. Enora is very much a strong FMC and her complexity is beautifully written. I sometimes felt that the usage of swear words was a bit too much at some points of the story (that is just a personal preference tho).
All in all I definitely count this as one of my favourite reads this year so far and that cliffhanger at the end was brutal. I absolutely cannot wait for book 2 in the series and I can’t wait for Enora to unleash her fury upon all of them.

[Reux]

This book gave me that new reader excitement to finish it and now that it’s over I think I may perish waiting for the sequel. I absolutely devoured this book!
Character development? Top notch! World building? Beautiful. Prose? Lovely. Of Bargains & Betrayal did so many things I wish other books tackled even half as well. When Enora feels loss it’s not just mentioned once and dropped, she feels it and her grief is palpable. When she gets wrapped up in things the reader is locked in with her. The multi-POV gives you a look into all the MC’s heads in a way that truly drives the story and compels you to keep reading. I struggled to put this book down for many reasons, but especially because it made me feel genuinely excited to unravel the tale. I am beyond elated for its release and overcome with anticipation for the next one! I will definitely be re-reading this one as it’s quickly climbed my list of favorite books! Highly recommend!

[Joana Marta]

This book is living proof of why I barely skim synopses and only read them properly after finishing.

Going in blind meant I had zero context about certain character backstories and connections, which made the reveals so much better and let me get fully immersed in the story.

As a Romantasy, this was really amazing. The worldbuilding was great, the character interactions kept me hooked, and the distinct voices made a huge difference. I devoured it in just a couple of sittings!

My only complaint was Enora's constant attitude. I get her trauma, but the endless snapping got a bit exhausting toward the end.

Overall, I was super pleasantly surprised and I really can't wait for the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Dalia M]

What was that ending? 😱😱😱 ASHLEY! I NEED BOOK 2 IMMEDIATELY!!!!!

This book had me in an absolute chokehold. Our FMC, Enora gets sent off to Grimmoria to marry the king. On her way there, things get a little crazy and things didn't turn out the way that they were supposed to. She gets imprisoned, makes a Bargain with the king, has to partake in trials that could ger her killed, and unknown truths get told to her that makes her world turn upside down. Nothing is quite as it seems. The twists and turns, the world building, the found family (ish), multiple POV, and the love triangle 🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽 chefs kiss, no notes! It was all fabulous.
Enora’s, rage was honestly super relatable. Her story is devastating but she's so strong. I dont even think she realizes it.
Eilir, the adorable little sprite was probably one of my favorite characters.

I am definitely going to be waiting for book 2.

[Jessica]

There were several things I genuinely enjoyed about Of Bargains and Betrayals. The prose is smooth and readable, and I particularly liked the first-person POV. The fantasy-romance premise also had plenty of elements that appealed to me, and I could see the potential in the story and its larger series arc.

Unfortunately, I ultimately decided to DNF at around 30%.

My biggest difficulty was the characterization of the FMC. She is established as a thirty-year-old woman who has spent years participating in military campaigns and was raised within the royal court, but her behavior and internal narration frequently felt much younger than her stated age and experience. This created a persistent disconnect for me.

Small details contributed to this. For example, she is given two hours to prepare for a military departure, yet is still late, with improperly fastened clothing and untied shoes. None of these details would bother me in isolation, but together they made it difficult to believe in her background as an experienced soldier. I would have loved to see her military experience reflected more strongly in her habits, discipline, decision-making, and emotional responses.

This also extended to her emotional maturity. Her reactions to difficult situations often felt more impulsive and adolescent than I would expect from someone with her history. I don't expect an adult protagonist to be perfectly composed, but I do want their accumulated experience to shape how they handle conflict and relationships. In this case, I often felt that the character was written more like a much younger fantasy heroine who had simply been given an older backstory.

There were also several romantic developments that I personally found difficult to engage with. The attraction between characters often develops very quickly, and because the characterization already felt young to me, some of the romantic interactions reinforced that impression rather than creating the mature, complicated dynamic I was hoping for.

That said, I want to emphasize that the book is well written at the sentence level. The prose flows nicely, the first-person perspective worked well for me, and there is clearly a lot of imagination behind the world and its characters. My decision to stop reading was primarily about the disconnect between the characters' established backgrounds and how they behaved on the page.

I can see this appealing to readers who enjoy a more YA-flavored approach to adult fantasy romance, particularly those who enjoy political marriages, enemy romance, magical trials, and a developing why-choose dynamic. Unfortunately, the characterization and worldbuilding inconsistencies made it difficult for me to remain immersed in the story.

Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this book. I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Annie (Houseofbooksandboardgames)]

4.5 stars rounded up

Of Bargains and Betrayal was great! I was hooked from the start (the dedication is amazing) and once I started I didn't want to put it down.

I really liked Enora, Maksym, and Jasper and am very curious to see how the relationships between them evolve as the story continues.

I felt like this book did a great job with Enora understandably having a lot of questions as she starts her new life in Grimmoria and answering enough to be satisfying but also leaving plenty that I'm so excited to find out about in the next book.

Thanks to the author for the ARC!

[Samantha Gagen]

Thank you Ashley Bresee for sending this ARC. This review is voluntary; all opinions are my own.

The dedication really says it all: “For anyone who’s ever looked at a broody, tortured man and said, I can fix him… Here’s two for you.”

Of Bargains & Betrayal is a romantasy novel filled with feminine rage, yearning, angst, bad life choices fuelled by trauma and grief, and - unsurprisingly - a buttload of betrayal.

The characters are complex, real, and rely on humour as an emotional crutch. Life has not been kind to any of them - and we’re witnessing that in real time for Enora - yet they have retained empathy and strength. Even when they’re struggling and making desperate decisions, I was rooting for them and falling in love with them, and I was always ready to see what they would do next.

The plot is exactly what you’d want from a great romantasy, based around unwanted arranged marriages, “marry me or die” bargains, and dangerous trials. I was HOOKED. The tension, the secrets, the hints at court politics and intrigue, and at the heart of it, the growing romantic relationships between our three MCs. Knowing that it’s all building to a series why-choose…I cannot WAIT to see that. And the ending…I’m not okay.

[Jenna Lloyd]

ARC REVIEW
4/5
🌶️.5 spicy

I really enjoyed reading a book where our FMC, Enora, is in her 30s. Reading through the book the life experience the character has really shines through and makes her decisions (most of the time) make alot of sense! I did also like that she made very emotional decisions much of the time, even though I was screaming at her to just say her feelings out loud half the time!!

The ENDING just solidified for me that I have NO CLUE what’s going on in this world and I can’t wait to learn more !

[Blossom’s Bookshelf]

A Deliciously Twisted Fae Bargain

I came for the fae bargains and forced marriage, stayed for the banter, dangerously good chemistry, and Eilir—and now I desperately need book two.

⭐ 5/5 — 10/10 recommend
🌶️ 3/5 — Open Door

Of Bargains & Betrayal is an addictive romantasy packed with fae politics, deadly trials, secrets, and a deliciously complicated MFM romance. The world of Irica feels fully realised, with three distinct kingdoms, their own histories and tensions, and plenty of room for the story to expand.

As Book 1 in the Pantheon of Lies series, it sets up a much larger story while still giving us plenty of worldbuilding and character development. The mysteries kept me guessing, and the plot balances fantasy, politics and romance without any one element overshadowing the others.

The story follows Enora Wynn, a princess-turned-soldier who travels to Grimmoria expecting a political marriage, only to discover that the king she was promised to has been dead for years and her betrothal contracts are forgeries. Suddenly facing execution, exile, or marriage to Grimmoria's ruthless king, Enora finds herself trapped in a kingdom full of secrets—and caught between two men with very different claims on her heart.

And I genuinely loved this romance.

Enora and Maksym have a fantastic dynamic built around forced proximity, banter, negotiation and slowly developing attraction. Maksym may present himself as a ruthless king, but underneath that exterior he's surprisingly considerate and deeply loyal to the people he cares about.

Jasper brings something completely different. His relationship with Enora is built on years of history, unresolved hurt and secrets, giving them an emotional connection that makes their chemistry incredibly believable. And despite everything Enora learns about their past, that chemistry is still very much there.

Usually, I have a standout favourite in a why-choose romance, but I genuinely liked them both. Their chemistry isn't interchangeable, and both relationships bring something different to the story. I also appreciated how naturally the transition towards the why-choose dynamic is handled, with boundaries and expectations actually discussed rather than conveniently brushed aside.

And yes, the promised "better kiss so we don't get caught" moment had me kicking my feet.

Enora herself is a fantastic FMC. She's capable, stubborn, fiercely independent and feels like a complete character outside of her relationships. I particularly appreciated the thoughtful handling of her addiction and past sexual assault; these experiences have genuine consequences for her behaviour and choices rather than feeling like they're included purely for shock value.

The supporting cast also adds plenty of personality, but special mention to Eilir. 🧚 Hilarious, adorable, chaotic and an absolute menace to Maksym's dignity. Every appearance made me smile, and honestly, I need more Eilir in book two.

I read this in one sitting.

The pacing kept me completely engaged, with trials, betrayals, magical mysteries, court tensions, ancient prophecies and plenty of twists keeping the story moving. There wasn't a section that dragged for me, and the slow-burn romance develops naturally alongside the wider plot.

And that ending?

WHAT A CLIFFY.

Some questions are answered, but even more are introduced, and the final section completely changed how I was looking at certain characters and events. I immediately wanted to pick up book two, so naturally I now have to suffer and wait for it.

Tropes
Marriage of Convenience
Fae Blood Bargains
Enemies to Lovers
Second Chance Romance
Love Triangle → Why Choose / MFM
Slow Burn
Forced Proximity
Court Politics
Training & Trials
Banter
Secrets & Betrayals
Warrior Princess
Childhood Friends
Morally Grey Characters

Content Warnings
Violence
Death
Trauma
Sexual assault / rape references
Addiction / substance dependency
Withdrawal
Abuse
Gore
Grief

I'd absolutely recommend this to romantasy readers who love dangerous fae, marriage of convenience, forced proximity, slow-burn romance, court politics, deadly trials, delicious banter, and a why-choose romance where both love interests are genuinely worth falling for. I loved the world, the characters, the mystery and the romance—and, obviously, I loved Eilir🧚. Now excuse me while I stare dramatically into the distance and wait for book two.

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[alyssa]

Official Rating: 4.5

Of Bargains & Betrayal is a romantasy book filled with slow reveals, tension, female rage, and battles of the heart. Enora Wynn, the bastard princess of Odessa, is sent off to be married to a bordering fae kingdom. She quickly finds out, not everything is as it seems and is forced into an unexpected marriage. She must undergo the military trials to prove her worth to the kingdom as she plans to marry their King - Maksym. Enora quickly finds herself stuck between many decisions and feelings - one of them being her betrothed and her childhood best friend, Jasper, the king’s high mage. The tension and quick pace kept me on my toes wondering what would happen next.

Enora is an absolute firecracker of a woman. She has gone through so much in her life, especially recently, and she is full of trauma, rage, and other volatile emotions. Enora felt so realistic as an FMC because she was truly reacting to the wild circumstances she was being put through and not just accepting things at face value. She’s angry and quick to bite back, or to try and cover up her true feelings with snarky comments and physical distractions. She was truly a rollercoaster of emotions as she tried to come to an understanding of her current situation and the development of new relationships around her.

Maksym and Jasper were two captivating love interests. Both had characteristics that, rightfully, drew in Enora (and the reader) which created the love triangle dynamic as she tried to balance the growing feelings she has for the king and his best friend. I loved how both Maksym and Jasper considered each other throughout the book and how their interactions with Enora would affect the other. I never felt like I was getting bored or annoyed with either MMC, and was always left wanting more!

There is a lot of missing information that we, as the readers, do not have. The majority of the book is through Enora’s POV with a few chapters from Maksym and Jasper. We know that a lot of stuff is going on behind the scenes and Enora is not informed of a lot of it until something is happening at that moment. I totally see the purpose of keeping us on the edge of our seats, wondering what’s going to happen next. I think there were a couple times that I wished we weren’t as in the dark as Enora was. I do think that this does set up a bunch of stuff for the next book where a lot of this information will be revealed and help me feel more satisfied with the foundation that was laid in this book.

I did also love the rolls that Gallan and Eilir played throughout the book, adding some levity and a change of pace for Enora and the story. They helped move the story along with little lore drops or tidbits about the world that helped clue us and Enora into how the kingdom functioned.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and Ashley Breese for this advanced copy of Of Bargains & Betrayals in exchange for my honest review. I received a copy through NetGalley as well as through the official early reader/ARC team.

[RogueWeaver]

I received an advance review copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

3⭐|1.5 🌶️ (Soft, Semi-Open Door)
I have deeply conflicting thoughts about Of Bargains and Betrayals. The core premise had immense potential, and while I found things to appreciate, the execution unfortunately left me wanting far more substance and refinement.

Worldbuilding & Magic
The foundation of the world is decent, though the lore, history, and magic system could have been integrated much more effectively. Most of the exposition is delivered purely through character dialogue—either explaining things to one another or learning on the fly—which often made the world feel telling rather than showing. It certainly lacks the depth or scale to fall into epic fantasy territory.

The Characters

- Enora (FMC): She is strong-willed, but her extreme naivety became increasingly frustrating to read given that she is thirty years old. While I understand her backstory—growing up in isolation, dealing with trauma, and having severe trust issues—she went on to train as a soldier. I expected far more street smarts, critical thinking, and autonomy from an adult protagonist in her position.

- Maksym (MMC): I was rooting for him from the beginning. He is the classic brooding, secretive, grumpy MMC who quietly cares, and his aversion to physical touch makes his character dynamic genuinely intriguing.

- Jasper (MMC): This will likely be an unpopular opinion, but I simply did not like him. When his motivations and narrative arc came to light, it completely rubbed me the wrong way.

Pacing, Tropes & Spice
The story suffers from severe pacing hurdles. I struggled through the initial chapters, finally got invested around the 30% mark, but completely lost steam near the 80% threshold and had to force myself to reach the end. The tournament sequence felt quite repetitive and didn't bring anything fresh to the table, leading me to skim through those chapters.

As for the romance, this is an excruciatingly slow burn. There is only one real scene that sits somewhere between open and closed door—certainly not enough heat to sustain a 560-page novel. More importantly, the romantic connection itself felt hollow. The characters rarely express genuine feelings or emotional vulnerability, focusing instead on past juvenile interactions rather than present-day emotional depth. The dialogue and banter often felt slightly stiff and unnatural rather than effortlessly witty.

Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the book struggles with an identity crisis: it aims to feature mature adult leads, yet they frequently communicate and react like emotionally immature adolescents. It sits in an awkward middle ground—neither high-stakes epic fantasy, nor fully developed romantasy, nor a true "why choose" yet.

There was so much raw promise here, but the delivery missed the mark. I am giving it a generous three stars strictly for the intriguing premise and untapped potential.

[LibraryOfMarta]

THIS WAS SO SO SO FREAKING GOOD !!!✨✨✨

I only have one thing to say : can someone please fast-forward time so I can read book two already ?! Because there is absolutely no way I’m surviving months without knowing what happens next !!!

Ashley… girl, WHAT did you put in this book to make it this addictive ?!

First of all, Enora is THAT girl. She’s sassy, fearless, and has the ultimate “I don’t give a fuck” attitude. She gave me major Harlow (The Poison Daughter), Bryce (Crescent City), and Maddy Perez vibes. She’s an absolute DIVA, and I was obsessed with her from page one.

The story follows Enora, a 31-year-old bastard princess whose entire life is turned upside down. After the sudden death of the only parent who truly respected her independence, her half-brother (the new king) decides to marry her off like she’s nothing more than a bargaining chip to the elderly king of the Dark Fae.

But Enora is no ordinary princess. She has a razor-sharp tongue, incredible comebacks, and she’s a trained soldier who never hesitates to hit where it hurts.

Escorted by a troop of soldiers to her forced marriage, everything goes horribly wrong when she wakes up surrounded by flames.

Rescued by strangers, she finds herself locked in a dungeon, completely confused. A young Dark Fae tells her that she is on his territory, and that they found forged letters and a counterfeit copy of the royal seal hidden among her belongings.

Suddenly, Enora is not a princess being sent away for a political marriage anymore NOOOOO she is a suspected traitor caught in a deadly scheme. AND the old king she was supposedly sent to marry has actually been dead for years AND standing before her is none other than his son… the very one who killed his own father.

Now Enora has only two choices: die… or marry the new king👀

ABSOLUTE PERFECTION!

I had so much fun reading this story. I was completely obsessed and honestly had the best time getting lost in this world.

I absolutely loved the magical creatures we got to discover, like ahem… a tree who talks with wings (wait… “I am GROOT,” is that you ?! 😂)

Then there’s King Maksym, a Dark Fae with horns and stunning grey-blue skin, giving us the perfect mysterious and dangerous energy😏

We also have a mage who constantly hides his face beneath a hood (I’m saying nothing… absolutely NOTHING 👀) and who seems to share a complicated, heavy past with the princess😳

And now we have a heart torn between two men… AHHHHH, give me MORE !!!

Also, the banter was immaculate. I was laughing so hard while reading that my husband genuinely started wondering what the hell was happening to me because I was sitting there losing my mind over fictional characters. 😂

Thank you so much Ashley and NetGalley for the gifted eARC ! I had the best time of my life and now I need the rest because WTF was that ENDIIIIIIIINNNNNNGGGGGGGG ?!?!!!!!!!!!??????!!!!!

[Marian]

4.5 stars . I received the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. I must add that I applied to the ARC due to the fanart the author shares on her Instagram so if you like fanart check her out!

This book reminded me of warrior princess assassin a lot, so if you enjoyed that book then you will like this one! I must add there are 3 love interests , a bastard princess, the king of the dark elves and his high mage . While this book is a love triangle it will end up being a why choose (this has been stated by the author) in further books so you are warned just in case you don’t like that trope. Talking about tropes there is the “marry me or die” which I found quite original. Worry not since both mmc are walking green flags so no mean assholes here. Anyways we get lots of politics , betrayals , hidden identities, trials, mysteries and even a fuck it moment outside of an inn… you won’t be bored!

Book starts with a bang with Enora (our princess) being sold to the dark elf king for “trade” reasons… or that’s what she has been told because as she is traveling to Glimmora (dark elves kingdom) she is drugged and half her escort is killed! She is saved by the forest sprites and ends up in Maksym’s kingdom where she has find out she has been betrayed and incriminated…. Her only chance of survival an old law in which she ends up marrying the king. It’s either that or death…. No pressure! I really loved Enora she is capable (has some military training so not a Mary sue) and will talk her mind if something bothers her! Maksym himself feels young to me , mind you he is a dark elf king aged 100 but he is way too good and trusting (specially with his past) everyone which will eventually cause him trouble. He gives Enora her space and respects her which I liked of him, he is a sweetheart! Jasper our high mage is more mysterious , can’t talk much about him since it may be considered spoiler but he is also a green flag and has some BIG secrets of his own . I still want to find out more about his past. Oh we also have Eilir which is a forest sprite that is there to help Enora in her first weeks in Glimmora, she is funny and I did enjoy her a lot despite her not appearing much by the end of the book . I liked that she is there to serve the queen as if the sprites don’t serve the king but the queen , I found the concept interesting and I hope we get more of her on book 2 !

Book ends up in hell of a cliffhanger! Oh btw the author included in the ARC a spicy chapter from a male point of view , I’m guessing as soon as the book releases it will be available to download from her page. So while you wait for book 2 do get that treat!

[Kristy]

Thanks for the eARC, Ashley! 💕

I loved this entire premise. Enora gets to choose between certain death or fighting for her life to become Maksym's queen, and although she knows a life among the fae, married to a stranger will be far from perfect, she chooses to LIVE. 👏

Of Bargains and Betrayals serves what it says on the tin: people lie, bargains are being made, and in the end everyone forges their own destiny (and you need to choose wisely whom to trust).

As such, Nora keeps going despite the terrible hand life has dealt her from the start. Even though her parents loved each other, her mother fled from their fates. As a bastard half-breed, she's a blemish on the king's otherwise pristine image. And after his death? Her brother wants her gone, and it turns into a truly shitty hand.

Arriving in Grimmoria she's confronted with several hard truths and it's like a rug is pulled from beneath her. I love that though she stumbles, she doesn't wallow in self-pity. She takes a moment to find her balance, and keeps going.

Maksym won me over the moment they started negotiating the details of their bargain, and it's when I knew this was going to be a five star book. The way he unarms her? Getting her all flustered? Hot damn. 🔥 Her honesty? The clear communication between adults who know what they want? Yes please! 👏🫦

Overall, the dynamic between the three MCs was fantastic. On the outside, Maksym is exactly how you'd expect a the king of the dark fae to be. But leave it to a sprite to spill the beans about his true character early on. 🤭 Not only did Eilir establish themselves as adorable by accident, but I also think it was truly well done by the author to make it known that way, because it made me eager for the moment when Max would finally shed his hard shell and we'd get to see the devoted man his closest allies tell us he truly is. (I love a good literary edging. 😈)
And the way Jasper tried keeping his cool around Nor, ever the image of the broody mysterious mage completely evaporates once his identity is revealed? I'm obsessed. If I had a list of blonde bookboyfriends, he'd surely be find himself at the top of it now.

At the end there for a second I wanted to laugh ("that didn't really just happen, did it?" 😅) but oh dear, to think that this was only the beginning... absolutely can't wait for Of Curses & Conquest!

This book is for everyone who loves a good love triangle turning why choose, court politics with bargains and betrayals (duh), and adult relationships (I'm not even talking about the excellent tension&spice, but the communication)! And the twists this book throws at you? Geez.

[Kiki]

⭐️ 4.8/5

I received an ARC of Of Bargains and Betrayal by Ashley Bresee in exchange for an honest review. As always, my opinions are entirely my own.

Ashley Bresee pulled me into this story from the very beginning. From the dedication to the prologue, I was hooked before the story had even truly begun. It set the tone perfectly and had me eager to see how everything would unfold.

One of my favorite aspects was the multiple POVs. I especially loved getting chapters from the male characters’ perspectives. Seeing the contrast between what they were thinking and what they were actually doing added so much depth to their motivations and made the relationships even more compelling. I also loved the humor throughout the book. The witty banter between the characters had me smiling so many times and made the relationships feel even more natural.

The title couldn’t be more fitting. There are bargains. There are betrayals. While I won’t spoil who or what they’re about, both play a major role in the story and keep the tension high from start to finish.

What stood out to me most was how authentic the characters’ emotions felt. Even in a fantasy world, their reactions to difficult situations felt incredibly human, making it easy to connect with and become invested in the characters.

My only real criticisms were that some of the male characters felt a bit too polarizing for my personal taste—I actually went on a few annotation rants because one moment I’d love them, and the next I’d be questioning every decision they made. That’s purely a personal preference. I also felt like there was almost too much happening at times. It kept the story moving, but the pace occasionally felt a little overwhelming.

And I have to mention the romance. The spicy scenes were chef’s kiss. They’re definitely open door, but they never overshadowed the story. The buildup, tension, and timing all felt natural, making every scene feel earned. I also appreciated that there weren’t an overwhelming number of them. The intimacy enhanced the romance instead of becoming the entire focus.

Overall, Of Bargains and Betrayal is an emotional dark romantasy with layered characters, meaningful relationships, and plenty of intrigue that kept me turning the pages. If you enjoy romance-forward fantasy, multiple POVs, emotional depth, and a slow-burn romance with well-earned spice, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up.

[Flavia Machado]

ARC review provided by the author

One of my favorite subgenres is why choose, so I was immediately hyped to read Of Bargains & Betrayal. Even though I knew that dynamic comes later in the series — since the romance is a total slow burn, meaning this first book is basically a love triangle — I honestly can't wait to see how the relationships develop!

What a book! It hooked me from the very first page, especially because Enora is in her 30s. And, as someone in the same age group, it is so refreshing to see fantasy characters who are older than 20, haha. She is incredibly well-developed and so easy to root for and relate to. She’s definitely not perfect — far from it. She’s super hot-headed, acts before she thinks, and has some pretty immature moments. But her flaws fit her character development perfectly, as they are a clear result of her past and trauma. Yes, she’s imperfect; yes, there are times you just want to shake some sense into her, but that’s what makes her so amazing.

As for our MMCs, I need the next book ASAP. Even though we get their POVs, there’s still a huge mystery surrounding them. I really liked what we got to see of them in Of Bargains & Betrayal, especially since we get to know them right alongside Enora. I can't wait to find out everything about Max and Jasper. I just need them to stop hiding so many things! To be honest, it felt a bit too mysterious at times, and the book ended with more questions than answers regarding them. I do wish we had gotten to know a little bit more.


The worldbuilding is super well-crafted, the backstories are amazing, and the events leading up to the main plot are just so well-done (I’ll avoid details because the mystery is a huge part of the reading experience, but trust me, it’s flawless!). And that ending?! The cliffhanger absolutely destroyed me and I need the next book immediately! It did leave me a bit frustrated, though, because it felt like I didn't get enough answers before boom… the book ended. I wish I had understood and discovered a bit more before everything wrapped up.

A quick shoutout to Eilir, the cutest, most annoying sprite and hands down the best character in the book. They made me laugh so much!

I absolutely loved the reading experience, the characters, and the universe of Of Bargains & Betrayal. I am so excited to see what happens next, from the romance to the entire plot!

[Anita]

ARC Review for Of Bargains and Betrayal:

"Know when to pause, when to yield, and when to raise hell."

Once her father, the king, passes and her brother takes the throne, Enora is shipped off to enemy territory to marry their dark fae king. A fierce soldier, she wore armor more often than gowns. When she ends up in Grimmoria, not in the way planned, she crosses paths with the dark fae king and his mage. One from her past, the other to be her future. Everything else in between, pure magic.

"Besides, I was never meant to be a ruler. I was built to run free, with the wind in my hair and grass under my feet. Not tethered to a throne. Or an ancient king. Or a dark fae kingdom."

Our FMC is bold, brave and undeniably her! 30 something, cavalry soldier, and spitfire. Absolutely adore her!
One of our MMC's has piercings and tattoos. Like he wasn't hot enough without them. The other an eyepatch, a wicked scar and hotness to his very core.
Then there's the cutest sprite Eilir, who is destined to win your heart.

Every second from the first pages to the last are bloody perfect! This story, the descriptions and imagery, the characters and flaws, everything is so well written that you can imagine being a sprite on the wall of every page. The writing prowess that brings this world to life is god tier. The pacing, the twists, the love all impeccably rendered in the most unique and fascinating way. And the banter, be still my bleeding heart!

Destruction is the theme. Shared and solely their own. Each character had gone through their own struggles, hardships that helped mold them into the people they are when their lives converged. Each of them with strength and fortitude because of those hardships. Each needing to know love without constraints. Trusting when they had no reason to ever again.

This is a 5☆ read that will leave you wondering how you have gotten by before it and how you will survive after until the next book is released. I devoured it in 2.5 days and wish I could immediately read it for the first time again.

I want to thank the author and publisher for allowing me to be an early part of this book's journey and for trusting my opinions of it. You have an avid fan for life! No getting rid of me if you wanted to. Sorry, not sorry... consider it payback for the ending! Sweet devastation in every goddess blessed way!

[Kym]

Our girl Enora may not be everyone's cup of tea. She's angry. She holds a grudge like no other. She assumes worst case scenarios and probably doesn't know what it means to give benefit of the doubt to anyone one. But do not write her off for this - because she is also hilarious, tenacious, principled, and a product of an environment that saw her as a bastard princess and treated her far worse. We come to understand that her trauma response manifests with her quickness to rage and run. Despite it all, she was creating a life she could be proud of...at least until her father, the king, died and her half-brother takes the throne and rewrites her future.

In order to survive, she agrees to a marriage of convience that her betrothed is equally  unprepared for. King Maksym and his mage, Jasper, are unlikely best friends who know more about Enora then they let on. When secrets are revealed....Enoras rage may be exasperating...but she uses it create boundaries needed to survive the unique trials she faces.

King Maksym, nearly a century old, is written with the wisdom and self awareness one might hope someone his age would have....but Enora has a way of knocking him off his square, challenging his temper, and making him question his decisions and apologize for his errors. And Jasper.....let's just say that Enora gives him EVERYTHING he deserves. Over, and over, again.

Our side characters are fantastic. Gallans relationship with Enora starts off curiously, but when he becomes her safe place away from betrayal, their friendship is cemented and I'm eager to see it develop more in the series. And our excitable, infectious, and hilarious forest Sprite, Eilir, has the softest spot for Enora, much to Maksym and Jaspers dismay. I have the feeling they have so much back story to reveal to us and I'm here for it.

The writing blended classic romantasy with more modern conversations, which makes it an easy read with an abundance of sarcasm, banter, and humor. The ending is both painful and exciting....one that left me eager to see what comes next for the characters we love and those we hate.

[Tiana]

I ended up only giving this one 3 stars in the end because it really was a mixed bag for me. I enjoyed how it started, but I really don't think it managed to keep that same momentum all the way through which really affected how much I enjoyed the book overall.

The prologue had to be one of the best things I've read in a while because it was put together so beautifully, and I really did think it was gonna set the tone for the rest of the book (unfortunately I was wrong). Every sentence genuinely read like something out of an old school fairy tale and I thought it was the most perfect set up for what was going to come, and even the first couple of chapters kept the same kind of vibe going before it kind of fell off a little.

One thing I will say was that I wasn't expecting the FMC to have such a big presence right from the beginning, but I guess that is because I'm so used to them almost always being really meek and boring at the beginning of fantasy books. I already got the feeling that the amount of freedom and privilege she had in the castle and in her life before her father died was going to create some really interesting moments later on, and I liked that she already gelt confident and capable from the beginning.

It did however feel like time had really slowed down after she was thrown in the dungeons because so much of the story seemed to revolve around her being held captive while deciding whether she would rather be executed or released into the wild or marry the king... it felt pretty obvious which she was going to pick, and then it really lost me finding out that SIKE it wasn't going to be that easy because even though he is king and "can do what he wants" the council decided that she had to enter this contest thing and prove herself before they would accept a marriage?? So it was kinda pointless to offer it, ya know???

I don't know, I did enjoy the book overall but I was also annoyed with it pretty much the whole way through, especially when I went back and read the blurb again and felt like it described a much more interesting and intense book than this one actually turned out to be...

[mrsxtremistsbookshelf]

"I’ve come to bargain."

Princess-turned-soldier Enora Wynn arrives in Grimmoria expecting a loveless political alliance, only to be branded a criminal and told the king is dead. To survive, she strikes a bargain with Maksym, the dangerous new heir: endure brutal military trials and become his bride. But the real danger isn't the arena - it’s Jasper, Maksym’s high mage and the boy who shattered her heart years ago. Caught between the king who claims her future and the mage from her past, Enora is forced to navigate deadly politics where enemies start feeling dangerously like home.

Huge thank you to the author for having me on the Hype Team! I love supporting local authors, and Ashley is just as lovely in person as her stories are fun to read.

This was such an engaging, fast-paced ride! I was completely invested from the opening chapters. One of my favourite elements was Enora herself. It was so refreshing to read an FMC in her thirties who has real history, baggage, and scars. She can be a bit rough around the edges and hard to swallow at times, but she has been dealt some seriously crap cards in life. Her choices aren't always textbook "perfect," but they felt genuinely human, honestly, none of us would probably handle being thrown into that chaos any better!

Max & Jasper: I loved that both MMCs are written with realistic flaws. They make stupid decisions and have plenty of moments where you just want to yell, "Bro, she wants to be left alone right now, backing off would really help your case!", which definitely made them feel more real. I have so many questions about Jasper's exile, his scars, and the history behind their bargains!

And then there is Eilir. Every fantasy needs that top-tier secondary character who brings brilliant comedic relief, warmth, and genuine friendship to balance out the dark tension.

While I felt like a few aspects of the world-building and magic could have been a bit more fleshed out, the pacing never lagged. The book leaves quite a few loose ends and wraps up with a cliffhanger that will have your brain working overtime trying to piece together what you missed and what's coming next.

I felt a little of all the things with this one. I laughed out loud at times, blushed, felt exasperated, felt angry, and loved the slow burn tension and angst! It is a really fun, solid indie fantasy that left me wondering when the next book was coming out.

[Marie]

I recieved a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.


✨️Dark Romantasy
✨️Love Triangle to Why Choose (MFM)
✨️Princess x King x Mage
✨️"It was always you"
✨️Angsty Slow Burn
✨️Forced Proximity
✨️Marriage of Convenience
✨️Marry Me or Die
✨️Secrets and Betrayals
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶


You know it's going to be a good book when it has a dedication like this:

"For anyone who’s ever looked at a broody, tortured man and said, I can fix him… Here’s two for you."

I was hooked from the very beginning. Enora completely stole the show, and I was immersed in the story from the very first page. I couldnt put this book down! This book had everything I love when it comes to dark romantasy! Throw in marriage of convenience where the FMC has two choices: marry the dark fae king, Maksym, or die, just made things even better. The mystery and suspense around all the scheming and betrayals happening in the background are set up right from the very beginning and kept me guessing and sitting on the edge of my seat!

"Know when to pause, when to yield, and when to raise hell."

Enora's anger, grief, and sadness are all strong emotions, and Ashley Bresee wrote those emotionally charged scenes in such a way that you can't help but be furious on her behalf. She has been dealt a shit hand, and nothing but death, betrayal and secrets surround her. I yelled several times while reading this book! And the plot twists and the damn cliffhanger at the end literally had me strangling my kindle in disbelief! 😂😭

The tension and slow burn angst between King Maksym, his mage Jasper, and Princess Enora was soooo freaking delicious! I loved Enora's fury and how she took no shit from anybody. I loved all the characters in this book; the side characters were just as well written and all had a role to play in the grand scheme of things. Gallan was definitly one of my favorite side characters, and Eilir the little sprite was just so precious.

I highly recommend this this book!I finished this book in a little under 2 days, and it left me desperate to read the second book! I am so incredibly excited to read the second book when it comes out!!

[Georgia]

Firstly, thank you to Ashley Bresee, NetGalley and Victory Editing for the advanced copy.

I loved this book! It’s one of my favourite romantasies of the year so far. 4.5 stars and honestly, no notes apart from the wait for the next book.

Things don’t go to plan after Enora is shipped off to marry a foreign king, resulting in a new betrothal and surprise reunion. Despite the betrothal, Enora must prove herself to her new kingdom by completing military trials, but nothing is as straight forward as it seems.

The story is well written, it’s fast paced and immersive, building intrigue throughout without giving too much away. I love that I still don’t really know what’s going to happen next, with a shocking cliffhanger thrown in at the end for good measure.

The book made a good impression from the start, the chapter names were already foreshadowing the sass we see in the book. The prologue was a poignant, beautiful way to set the scene for the story. And throughout the story, the author creates just the right amount of intrigue and foreshadowing, without anything too obvious or giving too much away.

The characters are all well rounded, individual with plenty to like (and dislike!). I loved Enora’s sass and attitude with just the right amount of trauma. She’s overly dramatic but completely owns it. I also love that she’s a reasonable age for someone who’s still getting their life together but has become competent in what she does.

And honestly, how can anyone choose between Max and Jasper, Max is dark and brooding, clearly with plenty of trauma that I can’t wait to find out about, while Jasper has his own issues and as yet unknown back story. The supporting characters were also well written with distinct personalities and likeable traits, which I much prefer to having loads of characters you don’t get a chance to know in any depth.

And that ending! I loved that cliff hanger and the final chapter, I was excited for the next book anyway, but now I can’t believe I have to wait until 2027 to read the next book!!