Book Review: The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith

Title: The Rose Bargain
Author: Sasha Peyton Smith
Series: The Rose Bargain #1
Pages: 400
Publication Date: Feb. 4, 2025
Publisher: HarperCollins
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Fantasy / Romantasy, Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Romance
Synopsis:

The Cruel Prince meets The Selection in this captivating duology opener brimming with heart-pounding romance, vicious competition, and beautiful, cruel fae, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch Haven, Sasha Peyton Smith.

Every citizen of England is granted one bargain from their immortal fae queen.

High society girls are expected to bargain for qualities that will win them suitors: a rare talent for piano in exchange for one’s happiest childhood memory. A perfect smile for one’s ability to taste.

But Ivy Benton’s debut season arrives with a shocking twist: a competition to secure the heart of the Queen’s fae son, Prince Bram. A prize that could save Ivy’s family from ruin… and free her sister from the bargain that destroyed her.

Yet every glittering fae deal has a rotting heart—and at the center of this contest is a dark plot that could destroy everything Ivy knows.

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Wow! What an intense ride! It’s The Selection meets Bridgerton meets The Cruel Prince, and I was swept up into this dark fantasy so fast! The main character, Ivy, is very easy to root for, and I liked the others in the competition too. The story has a love triangle, which isn’t a trope I typically enjoy, and I didn’t love it in this one. Initially, I really disliked the fact that it would pit the brothers against each other, but it ended up working well. I liked both brothers and could see Ivy falling for either of them,

I would say this is a darker romantasy, with a cruel fae queen ruling over England and creating pain, humiliation, and havoc all over the place. Oof, this female stressed me out with her manipulations and machinations. But there are other big bads just as vicious as the queen, and they had me in a chokehold!

And the twists! Whew! The plot is good, and I definitely didn’t see a few of those shockers coming! It has a ton of political intrigue, suspense, some interesting world-building, and bargaining with the fae that takes a dark and twisty turn.

Our shame is contagious, and no one can afford to catch it, especially not now.

The fun of grace is to watch someone fall from it.

forbidden romance
enemies to lovers
only one room
slow burn
love triangle

Sasha Peyton Smith is the New York Times best selling author of The Witch Haven and The Witch Hunt. She’s passionate about well-curated road trip playlists, soup recipes, and stories about complicated girls. Originally from Utah, she now lives in Washington D.C. with her partner and collection of porcelain hands.