Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: April 14, 2026
Source: Bought/Own
Rating:
Goodreads Synopsis:
Wed to one brother.In love with the other.Bridgerton, The Selection, and The Cruel Prince collide in this Victorian-inspired romantasy; the sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller The Rose Bargain.This limited collector’s edition features an exclusive alternate jacket, gilded holographic edges, an intricately foiled case design, and never-before-seen bonus content.Having won the hand of the faerie King Bram, Ivy is now Queen of England.But with his ascension to the throne, Bram unleashed the fae into the human world. After hundreds of years of being kept from their favorite playthings, the Others are looking to make up for lost time—and they do, with wicked revelry that sweeps through the country.To survive, Ivy acts the sweet, devoted wife. Behind the smile, she plots to banish her husband, save her sister Lydia, and reunite with the love of her life, Emmett.Yet Emmet and Lydia are trapped in the Otherworld, where fae games are deadlier than ever—and a queen must play most viciously of all. Or see herself dethroned.Forbidden romance, deceptive bargains, and lethal court intrigue intertwine in this mesmerizing, fae romantasy sequel that will captivate fans of Once Upon a Broken Heart and Belladonna.
Click the cover to see my review of Book 1: The Rose Bargain
I loved The Rose Bargain and was a liiiiittle nervous about book 2. I was afraid that it wasn't going to be as good as the first one... this is my toxic trait. I almost always delay a book 2 read because I don't want to be disappointed.
All that said, I was NOT disappointed by this one.
One of the things I loved most about the first book was the mix of dangerous fae bargains, political tension, and the angsty love triangle, and this sequel expands on all of those elements in such a satisfying way. The stakes feel even higher now as Ivy is both competing for survival and trying to rule through chaos, grief, and betrayal. The relationships carry so much more emotional weight this time around, especially with the lingering tension, shifting loyalties, and the constant uncertainty about who can truly be trusted.
❗❗❗SPOILERS ❗❗❗
The story jumps right into the chaos with Ivy now Queen of England while Bram unleashes complete havoc by allowing the Fae world into England after his mother, the former queen, is captured/ replaced. Meanwhile, Ivy is grieving and searching for her true love Emmett (Bram's brother), unsure if he is missing or dead, while also desperately also trying to find her sister.
The pacing is intense from the start and the plot is dramatic, emotional, and torturous at times. I found myself crying at the horrible Fae a few times. They create absolute destruction through dangerous bargains and manipulation, while humans are eager to participate without understanding the true consequences of their actions. I loved the political intrigue woven throughout the story, and the emotional weight of everything happening felt very real even when in a fantastical world.
Ivy continues to be such a strong protagonist. She’s trying to survive a lethal fae world while balancing the weight of the crown, her grief, and the complicated relationships around her. The forbidden romance elements still hit hard, but I also loved how much the story centered sisterly love, loyalty, and trust amidst all the courtly intrigue and chaos. I really enjoyed Ivy’s character growth, and I thought the transition deeper into the Fae realm was done incredibly well.
Overall, this was a fantastic conclusion to the duology and such an engaging read from beginning to end.
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