Thank you to NetGalley and Vanessa Green for a copy of The Baird's Bargain in exchange for an honest review.

In general, I love a retelling of an old story with a new spin. Green independently published this title in 2022, and in general I think she crafted a nice tale. As with everything, I want to give a rave, but there were faults in this story that hold me back from really loving it. Before I get to the faults, I'll discuss the things that I liked. I enjoyed the main character's development over time. She started out self-centered, immodest, and frankly annoying--perhaps even a bit of an unreliable narrator of her own story in the beginning. As time progressed, she seemed to mature. I enjoyed the blooming romance between the leading lady and her love interest, but it never really felt realistic. Most of the dialogue felt stilted [and here begins the negative feedback]. Green deeply struggles with pacing, dialogue, and character development and differentiation. All characters seem to follow modern dialogue patterns and sound roughly the same, though Green uses courtly language sporadically throughout the book. Green differentiated her leading lady from other characters by simply increasing the 'annoying' factor of her dialogue. Because of this, the story never felt real, never sucked me in, and never left me really wanting to read more--I was between DNF-ing and hoping it'll get better for the entire story yet never felt rewarded for my effort at any point. The biggest problem with this story was pacing. The time or content/context jumps between chapters left me feeling like Green's clumsy timeline was yanking me along at a jarring speed. Her transitions lacked finesse. Green also did not do herself any favors by turning this book into a dual POV as this choice increased the hodgepodge feeling of the story and highlighted her under-developed [and perhaps inexperienced] character work. True to the pacing problems throughout the story, the conclusion also felt cut short as though deus ex machina could just solve the problem of the plot. It left me wondering whether Green had gotten sick of writing her own story and just threw in whichever solution would wrap it up the fastest. This frankly made me frustrated as I had been waiting so long to see whether my patience would pay off.

There is a great deal of grace to be given to a new indy author, but I also believe that traditional editing methods aren't the only way to run your work through a filter prior to self-publication. Green would have greatly benefitted from an outside reviewer, even just a friend who likes to read, prior to publication. I say this because this story could have been an incredible success. The idea behind it has all the elements of a popular courtly romance: an ousted princess, the underdog love interest, wax poetics, court drama, and adventure. Taking these steps, of course, is entirely at the author's discretion and commendation must be given to any author simply for the endeavor of writing a book in the first place. Conclusively, while I enjoyed the idea behind this work, Green should have spent more time ironing out the kinks in her character work and pacing to allow the story to jump off the page.

The book surprised me in the best way! Alexandra, the crown princess of Lenwen, starts off as a drama queen extraordinaire—full of herself, over-the-top, and downright obnoxious. But beneath all that attitude is a character whose grief makes her heartbreakingly real. Watching her grow and evolve was like pure magic—character development done right!!!

And then there’s Tyram, the scheming steward of Norwen. He’s a scoundrel, but somehow, I couldn’t help but love him (even when he annoyed me!). The slow-burn romance between these two wasn’t your typical enemies-to-lovers tale, but it was perfectly timed and beautifully paced, with just the right amount of tension.

Yes, the pacing was slow, but the gorgeous writing, plot twists, and dual POVs kept me glued. The ending felt a bit rushed and didn’t quite match Alexandra’s character, but honestly, I’m just sad there isn’t more of Tyram and Alexandra in the sequel. Fingers crossed for the sequel!!

A big thank you to NetGalley, and Vanessa Green for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!
#thebardsbargain #NetGalley

Thakyou to Netgalley, the author and the publishers for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately I could not get past the first 120 pages of this book, as the main character took a drastic 180-turn from being a spoiled brat to a fawning idiot. Within ten pages she goes from insulting her love interest to begging him to 'take her' as he tears open her bodice. I'm not of the opinion that every romance has to be a slow burn (if anything I think the trope is too common and would like a refreshing change) but this out-of-character behaviour gave me whiplash. Otherwise the book is well written, with pretty descriptions and a decent world that I would have liked to see through the eyes of a more consistent character.

This story was interesting as it's basis was a fairytale retelling that I was not familiar with. It had a nice clear message that also lead to a clear resolution. The fantasy setting was very cozy and nice. The side characters added a lot to the village as to our FMC. Female friendship being a strong theme in the book was so nice to see. The character ARCs for the FMC and MMC were strong! I definitely recommend to anyone who wants to read a fairytale cosy fantasy ~

A fun read! The character development for Alexandra was elite. I enjoyed Tom and Alexandra's love story and wasn't expecting the ending! It made me excited to read book 2! Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!

A cute and fast-paced fairy tale romantic fantasy story that was pretty enjoyable despite the abrupt ending.

How can I possibly describe how much this book means to me without pouring my heart out?

I loved Alexandra from the first moment, perhaps because she reminds me of myself and my own personal character development. The story begins with her as a young woman left alone and expected to shoulder great responsibilities. In her grief, she becomes cold, selfish, haughty, power-hungry, and prideful. These aspects of her personality are her sword and her shield against a world indifferent to her. No one cares about Alexandra the girl. They care only for what she represents: her crown. Is it any wonder she turns out the way she does? The only cure for it is a patient, guiding hand and a separation from her previous life.

So no, I suppose Alexandra isn't an easy character to like for a good portion of the novel. In fact, there are some in the book who simply don't have the patience to teach her what, to them, is common sense. Luckily she has Tom, who introduces her to a world in which everyone helps and looks out for each other, not because they have some ulterior motive, but because they genuinely care for each other. In time, Alexandra is humbled, the ice around her heart melted. It's a slow and satisfying progression. And absolutely realistic. From my own experience, I know it can take years to abandon the abundance of pride that has shielded you from many hurts and to stop holding other people at arm's length. On top of that, Alexandra has a tendency toward melodrama and a quick temper. But she isn't malicious. She doesn't revel in her early behavior. Most importantly, she tries to learn and better herself. I adore her so much! She's my latest comfort character and I absolutely cannot wait to have the physical copy of this book in my hands!

This story takes place in a medieval-inspired fantasy world. It's as brutal as it is idyllic. There are moments of shocking harshness, balanced by an equal number of cozy scenes. There seem to be some inconsistencies in the worldbuilding, but nothing that stands out overmuch or distracts from the story.

Tyram/Tom is a lovely character and the relationship felt authentic with how it developed. I only wish that Tyram's own character growth was given more emphasis. I mean, forcing a person to suffer poverty, cold, hunger, and humiliation just to mold them into a person you can stomach marrying is a really shitty thing to do. I feel like he could've benefitted from a proper realization of just how thoroughly his actions hurt Alexandra. This is one of those cases where the ends do not necessarily justify the means, in my opinion. Don't get me wrong; he's a fun and charming character and a perfect fit for Alexandra, and I really enjoyed reading from his POV. However, he's made out to be a paragon for morality when in reality, he's not exactly without his own blind spots. He got off a little too easily for that.

But wow, this is enemies-to-lovers done right! Even during their heated arguments, their chemistry is tangible. You'll be mentally chanting "kiss, kiss, kiss" the whole time they're fighting! It's easy to empathize with both of them, to feel what they feel alongside them, which prevents their many conflicts from tipping into ridiculousness.

"She wanted him to yell and scream so she could yell back. She liked noise; her flair for the dramatic was a strength that she liked to exercise, a way to feel in control. Willfully, he decided the best course was to not indulge her. He would not feed her fire."

"She opened her mouth to his kisses and they began to embrace with a fever that verged on violence."

"He lowered himself to his knees before her. Alexandra had an odd moment of clarity: here was the most powerful man in Norwen, her kingdom's greatest enemy, on his knees before her."

I'm a teeny bit disappointed in the pacing of the story toward the end. After a strolling pace throughout much of the book, it wrapped up a little too quickly, too neatly. I want to know more! My only hope is that the sequel will answer my remaining questions even though it will follow different protagonists.

The reviews are all over the place so far, so I think it'd be helpful to clarify a few things for anyone who might get confused by them. There are explicit scenes (very well done explicit scenes btw) so this is definitely Adult, not YA. The cover may also be a little misleading, gorgeous though it is. Alexandra, despite being a princess, is not soft, and this story is not dark. As I was reading, the story played out in my head bright and with vivid color, but I admit that perhaps that comes down to personal interpretation. Also, I would not categorize this as historical fiction or historical fantasy. There are kingdoms and a feudal system, but the world and events are entirely fantastical. This is a retelling of the fairytale, King Thrushbeard.

Tropes:
- hidden identity
- disguised royals
- fake marriage
- betrayal, my beloved
- slowburn
- forced proximity
- riches to rags
- only one bed
- he falls first
- political scheming

First off, how stunning is the cover?
This book is a retelling of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, something I have never read before.
This story was something I don’t typically read but I quite enjoyed it.
It is a story about love and compassion and how we, perceive and and act towards it.
I did not give it more stars just because I dislike politics in books. However, the smut scences were nice, and the overall story is worth reading.

Thank you, Netgalley, for providing me with an eARC copy of this book.

I loved how engrossing the writing style was and the romance between the two main characters. It was very atmospheric.

An absolute delight. I appreciate that Alexandra felt so realistic. I'm often worried in stories like this that the change feels unnatural, but Vanessa Green did a great job showing Alexandra's growth. I also really appreciated the slow burn of their feelings, while keeping the spice hot. Their fighting reflected their emotions and it was so fun to read. I am excited to dig more into this world. There are a couple other characters that I want the follow up on. Hopefully later books in the series will have that!

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed the character growth in this one! Alexandra was tough to like at first, but honestly, you can't blame her for acting like a privileged princess. Tom was likable as the main guy, but I kind of wish we saw him struggle a bit more, especially since he’s young too. Their relationship build-up was great, and while I expected more fantasy elements, it was just a made-up world without much magic. The romance definitely had some steamy moments, but it didn’t hit me emotionally as much as other romances have. Also, some parts of the book dragged a bit, and I felt it could have been shorter, but Alexandra’s journey kept me hooked. I’m a sucker for enemies-to-lovers and hidden identities. Although I would have preferred more laughable moments, overall, it’s a solid, well-paced read that romance fans will enjoy!

After finishing the epilogue I’m waiting on book 2! I rather enjoyed the characters and world building although I felt they could be more fleshed out. I thought the pacing was good and enjoyed the way more serious topics were tackled. Was a bit spicy for a YA but fine as NA.

First of all, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this e-arc! I appreciate the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review!

Now, this book had a lot of good things going, and a lot that I didn’t like. I had no clue that it contained smutty scenes before reading this- which is entirely my fault for going in blind. As someone who isn’t fond of those scenes, these particular parts of the book wrinkled my nose.

Princess Alexandra is a spoiled brat, and she remains this way for about 60% of the book. The author pulled this off well, considering we’re supposed to be annoyed by the thoughts swirling in her head. Her character development is quite good, going from someone who wouldn’t look twice at a poor person, to living among and supporting them.

The politics in this world were very well written, and I feel like I will be reading the second book. After all, if a war is brewing, I have to know who wins, right?

I tried picking up this book numerous times but somehow I can't get into it. The premise is quite promising, and so are the reviews, so I think I'm the problem. Hopefully, I can return to this book some other time.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to ARC read The Bard's Bargain! I heavily enjoyed this read and it was a great time the whole time! The romance grew in a slow burn but did not feel drawn out for the sake of creating plot. I am a romantasy girl until the day I die so this was a perfect, cozy read while we get into the fall season!

*The Bard's Bargain* by Vanessa Green is a delightful retelling of the classic fairy tale "King Thrushbeard," blending adventure, romance, and character growth. The novel centers around Princess Alexandra, a spoiled and self-centered royal who is punished for her arrogance when her mother forces her into poverty. She must live as a commoner with a humble bard named Tom. Throughout the story, Alexandra learns to adapt to her new circumstances, developing empathy and maturity as she navigates the hardships of life outside the palace.

If you're a fan of fairy tale retellings with strong character growth and a touch of romance, *The Bard's Bargain* offers a charming and enjoyable read.

I am not familiar with the tale that this book is based on. With that being said, I really enjoyed this book! I think that the pacing was great, and the story flowed really well. Green built a beautiful world and well-rounded, dynamic main characters- I felt invested in the growth of the main character. I would have hoped for more growth from the male main character. There was depth to the side characters, and I felt they were important to the journey. I am also interested in their own stories.

One major strength to this book was the dialogue, I am often turned off by conversations between main characters in romance books, but I feel like there were difficult, wholesome, meaningful conversations in this book. Additionally, I feel like the characters did not say anything uncomfortable or “cringey” during the more intimate scenes- that is always a huge bonus.

I can see that there will be a series built around this book’s world, and I am really looking forward to reading more!

3.5 rounded down to 3

Alexandra has lived a comfortable life as a princess. Thinking she can always get her way, she rejects all of her suitors at her debut ball. Desperate for a solution to both her headstrong daughter and the war threatening her country, Alexandra's mother orders her to live as a commoner for a year with a humble bard. Only, unbeknownst to the princess, the bard is the Steward of the neighboring kingdom.

Read if you like:
-Arranged/Forced Marriage
-Royals in Disguise
-Slow Burn

I enjoyed this book a lot, but I also kept thinking of ways it could have been better. Not a bad book, just one that didn't leave me feral. If you like quieter fantasy books without epic quests and devastating battles, this is the book for you.

Everything I want in a retelling, elements of the original, lots of creative changes, and lots of spice.

This story is very character focused with some great character development, particularly for the main character Alexandra.
The pacing of the romance was somewhat slowburn but really well done and I loved that it was dual POV.
I enjoyed this overall but it was very slow.