Title: The Tricky Business of Faerie BargainsAuthor: Reena McCarty
Pages: 416
Publication Date: April 7, 2026
Publisher: Orbit
Genres: Fiction / Fantasy
Synopsis:
Discover a world of enchanted contracts, faerie intrigue and French toast, in this delightful debut packed full of wit, charm, adventure and heart, with a dash of magical bureaucracy and a sprinkling of romance.
When Poppy Hill was a child, she was stolen from her family's Montana homestead and taken 'Otherside' to the land of the fae, where she spent more than a century as a cook in the Wild King's castle. Now back in the human world, she works for a company that brokers faerie bargains, checking for loopholes in their contracts.
But when a bargain that Poppy is negotiating goes disastrously wrong, she must return to the world she grew up in to try to rectify her mistake, facing danger, intrigue and a pesky ex-boyfriend along the way.
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I have mixed feelings about this book. I thought it was a really unique premise and world, and the whole concept of people in the modern world making bargains with faeries was so interesting. I was also intrigued by Poppy’s story, especially as she had to return to the land of the Fae after being away for several years. I think the biggest issue for me was that it didn’t feel like a cozy fantasy/romance. It was a bit darker than a cozy fantasy, and I wouldn’t call this a romance at all. It also felt like not much happened plot-wise, and when big things did happen, everything either wrapped up too quickly or too easily.
The world-building was immersive, and I enjoyed the contrast between the human and Fae worlds. Poppy, the protagonist, lived for decades in the Fae world and longs to return. But once she actually gets to go back, things are very different. It’s interesting to see Poppy’s feelings and experiences in both worlds, and she definitely learns a lot about herself and what she wants as she travels through the world of the Fae. That being said, the whole concept of time in these worlds was confusing and undefined.
The characters were not my favorite. I found most of them pretty unlikable, and I felt like many of them were one-dimensional, though I think that was purposeful. Poppy is the only layered character in the bunch, and I wish we had seen more from some of the other characters, too, especially her two main traveling companions.
Overall, this was just an ok read for me. It was unique and creative, and I was left wondering whether it was a standalone or a series because the way that it ended would work for both. I could easily see Poppy’s story continuing, and this unique world being expanded.
Reena McCarty is a lifelong Montanan who’s constantly looking for the perfect balance of hiking, camping, and impulse baking cakes. She has a BA in theater, a Master’s in Library Science, and somehow ended up cooking for a living and also for fun. When not writing, Reena can often be found wandering in the woods with her husband, admiring every dog she sees.
Great review! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. The premise sounds really interesting, but based on your experience, I think I’ll pass on this one. I prefer characters with more depth and a story where I can actually connect with them. It’s a shame it was just an ‘okay’ read, but that’s how it goes sometimes!
Too bad this wasn’t more successful! It does sound like the premise should have been great — setting faerie bargains in the real world. Thanks for sharing!