A Cozy, Feel-Good Fantasy Romance

Bargains with Benefits is a charming, character-driven romantasy that completely swept me away. Jillian Witt blends a cozy atmosphere with heartfelt romance and just the right touch of magic.

Luna Pierce is a half-fae innkeeper with a struggling business and complicated family ties. Enter Vincent, a wind-magic-wielding journalist with secrets of his own. Their magical bargain sparks more than just business collaboration—it’s a slow-burn romance filled with witty banter, emotional depth, and genuine connection.

The world-building is inviting and whimsical, perfect for readers who enjoy immersive but not overly complex fantasy. This standalone, set in the Compass Points universe, works perfectly whether you’re new to Witt’s books or returning for more.

A joy to read from beginning to end. I’ll be watching closely for whatever Jillian Witt writes next.

This book was truly the perfect cozy, cutesy romantasy for me. I was hooked from just the first few pages and quickly fell head over heels in love with these characters. Luna is a half-fae who is trying everything to bring customers back to the magical inn she grew up visiting with her mother. Vincent is waiting for his big break with a chance to write a featured story at the newspaper he works at. When they bump into each other, they make a bargain to help the other achieve their goals but quickly realize that perhaps they want more between each other than just a bargain.

Luna is such an adorable, lovable main character. She has such sunny personality and I loved learning more about the family she found among friends and customers at the tavern she works at on the side. She’s unapologetically herself in a world that hasn’t always been kind to half-fae, and loves to bake to work through her emotions. Vincent was immediately charming and I loved his playful wind magic that has a tendency to flirt with Luna before he can stop it. These characters were such a good fit together and I loved the slow build up of trust, friendship, and deeper feelings for one another. I seriously couldn’t get enough of them!

I’ve read the first book in the Compass Points as well, which is another series set in the same world. The elemental magic, the politics, and the characters are all written so well and I will quickly be jumping into the second book in that series as I wait on the edge of my seat for the next book in this new series. I can’t get enough of these characters and this world!

This was such a fun cozy romance!

I really loved Lina’s character and her growth throughout the story. She was feisty and friendly while also being very true to herself. Vincent was also such a great character. I loved seeing his development with Luna and their chemistry continue to grow. I reallllllly appreciate that there was no theirs act breakup!

This story was all over the place in the best way! I loved the far courts and all the different types of magic. I felt so bad for Luna when she started discovering the truth but also so happy that she was able to get the relationship with her father she always wanted.

Bargains with Benefits (Fae by the Bay #1) by Jillian Witt

Blurb: When Luna bargained with an arrogant fae journalist to save her inn, the last thing she expected was to fall for him.

Rating: ****
Feels: Fun, Playful, Wonder, Inquisitive
Style: Fantasy, Cozy Fantasy, Fae, Romance Fantasy
First published : June 3, 2025 : 314 pages Kindle

Loved this cozy fantasy with spice !!! Getting to watch the relationship grow and bloom between Luna and Vincent was heartwarming, sweet and hot !!! I loved how magic was used to show his affection for her. Seeing his wind “play” with her and be cutesy with Luna was just adorable. The community, found family aspect of the story also had strong resonance with me. Family dynamics and friendships being built are things I love being explored in a story. This book was such a great read with so much depth and I love that there are other books related to keep reading about the community !!!

Favorite Quote: "Another bargain, Miss Pierce. Didn't we learn our lesson the first time?" " I'm not sure what lesson you've learned, but our first bargain has only left me wanting more."

This book has:
Strong FMC
Cinnamon Roll MMC
Rivals to Lovers
Found Family
Hidden Identify
Politics
Playful Magic

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this ARC

So I wanted to like this book, but it had a few problems.
Pros:
The world building was great I wanted to know more about the different fae, and would probably read about other characters in this world.
The MFC Luna knew who she was and didn’t change for anyone, she was confident in herself. She had 2 close friends that were family to them, I wished we got more of them, but you could tell they would do anything for each other
The MMC also stayed true to himself, and his feeling for Luna were sweet
I also enjoyed the story about her dad and grandma

Cons: this book needed better editing. They must have mentioned the first meeting 30 times….why. Also the first meeting was terrible. Not sure why they were both so taken by it. She throws a drink in his face…WTF
They also mention the “bargain” 30 times, but it seems there’s no consequence if the break the bargain, it never really specified. I kept wondering why they would wait so long to write the article about her inn to help fill it till the last second. I feel like the MMC and FMC didn’t say what they were thinking or feeling out loud, everything was inner monologue, so their relationship lacked for me. But it’s had to read a book that repeats the same thing, words,phrases, stories over and over.

rating: 3.75★

a cute low-stakes fae romantasy with regency-esque setting.

i loved the “meet cute” and the initial set up is fun. i also liked the family issues worked thru for both and the development with her father and mother. it was a bit different than most parental dynamics in these mixed human-fae stories.

i do think it was a bit slow and not the most complex of plots, but it makes it a low stakes cozy read for when you want something more low key. the romance was very simple for me, but not bad.

this is similar to tessonja odette’s fae series, and i would read book 2 (esp if it’s her friend and a certain rival 👀)

an honest arc review <3

Contemporary romance meets fantasy in this light, fun read. I think this is a great intro for anyone who wants to ease into romance and fantasy. The story line is easy to follow, the world building is just right where you can start cultivating your imagination to follow along, and it doesn’t feel like you are missing points if you haven’t read the other series. Luna and Vincent are such a cute couple and reading in the dual POV gives you a better depth to the characters, and to see their love start growing.

I flew through this cozy romantasy, it’s probably one of the cutest stories I’ve read 🥰 I couldn’t get enough of Luna and Vincent!

Bargains with Benefits is a standalone, low stakes cozy romantasy about half fae Luna and pure blooded fae Vincent. Luna wants to take over her estranged fae father’s failing inn, and Vincent needs information on Luna’s father for an article he is writing. After a chance encounter, a bargain is struck that creates a quid pro quo partnership between the two.

I thoroughly enjoyed Luna and Vincent’s dynamic and their budding feelings for each other. I also loved how both have to overcome prejudices in a world where half fae and humans have only recently gained “equal” rights as fae. My absolute favorite aspect of the story was Vincent’s magic constantly flirting with Luna. I adore when Magic has a mind of its own! Especially when said Magic can essentially play match maker. Another aspect I enjoyed was that there wasn’t a third act breakup! I loved that Luna and Vincent had such a trust in each other and knew that each other could stand up for themselves when the time called for it. Green flags all around!

This was such a breath of fresh air and a perfect read if you need a little break from dark and angsty romantasy.

Thank you Netgalley and Jillian Witt for the gifted eArc to read and review.

This book was exactly what it promised to be, a cozy fae romantasy. It had just the right amount of slow burn romance, banter, and politics but what I wasn't expecting was the emotional layers of the family dynamics.

Our FMC, Luna, is a half-fae trying to save her family's inn before her estranged, fae father sells it. That's where Vincent, a fully fae journalist, comes in. He needs Luna to verify a tip for a story that would completely change his career. They make a bargain, and things get a little (or a lot) messy.

The pacing of this book is absolutely phenomenal, no dragging at all. And even though the romance is a big part of the book, it still feels like Luna's journey as she figures out how she fits into the world. Which leads me to something I was NOT expecting... the family dynamics.

The way that Jillian Witt writes about estranged parents and how their baggage/thoughts trickle down to their children is incredibly honest and feels real. It hit me harder than I thought it would. Beautiful and tragic at the same time.

If there was one thing I wanted more of it was the elemental magic. The world was really intriguing; I just wanted to see that magical side play out a bit more. There is also one "spicy" scene towards the end of the book, so just beware.

Overall, I flew through this one and can't wait until the next book in this series!

This book is so cute and cosy!! It's the first book that I've read by the author but at the end, I could see other books written in the same world and as I was reading, I got the feeling like other characters might end up being explored - such as Skye, Evelyn and Ambrose.

The book cover ended up catching my attention first but the synopsis is what made me request. Handsome Fae and mutual bargains? Completely up my street😍 and don't let the cute cover fool you, there is definitely a few spicy scenes in this book🌶️

I really liked the two main characters, Luna and Vincent and was rooting for them to have a HEA - not just in romance, but in their work and personal lives also. There was a twist that I guessed right from when it first came up but I didn't mind because I enjoyed the journey anyway.

There was also a part near the end that could have been misconstrued and I was worried that the author might have this happen just to create drama for the story, but I was really happy this wasn't the case and each character had learned to read each other so well by this point, that the FMC fully believed in the MMC and didn't question his intentions for a moment❤️

This was a quick, light-hearted and feel good read and I can see me definitely picking up more books by the author in the future!

Thank you to Netgalley, Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op and the author for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

• Fae Bargain
• Opposites Attract
• Found Family
• Elemental Magic
• Cozy Romantasy
• Estranged Parent Reconciliation

I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of Bargains with Benefits through NetGalley, and this book was such a low-stakes, cozy fae read with a surprisingly unique magic system. Instead of the usual brooding “shadow daddy” trope, we get a refreshing twist with a “wind daddy”—and honestly, I was here for it.

Vincent, the MMC, completely won me over with his kindness toward Luna. I loved that his original motives slowly shifted into something much more genuine—it became less about what he needed and more about simply caring for her, which I found incredibly sweet and endearing.

Luna’s relationship with her parents, especially the way it ties into the Inn, added depth and emotional layers that I really enjoyed. I’m also intrigued by Evelyn—she definitely feels like a setup for something more, and I’m curious to see where her story might lead.

Overall, this was a warm-hearted, happy-ending kind of story that I’d recommend if you’re looking for a cozy fantasy with a hint of magic, a touch of romance, and a satisfying plot that doesn’t demand emotional gymnastics to enjoy.

4.75 ⭐️

This was such a cosy fantasy read! I absolutely loved it 🥰 This was unlike anything I’ve ever read before but if I had to describe it I would say it felt similar to the pumpkin spice cafe but with fae & magic involved.

The magic was really interesting in this book, I found myself falling in love with not just Vincent but his wind magic too. How it took care of Luna and interacted with her was super cute. Their chemistry was amazing and I liked how romance heavy this book was. The added spice was a nice touch too!

Definitely recommend this one if you like a cosy read or need a palette cleanser 💖 Thank you NetGalley for giving me this Arc Copy!!

Tropes:
- Mutual Arrangement
- Strangers to Friends to Lovers
- Water Magic FMC
- Wind Magic MMC
- Cosy Romance

This book was such a cozy and charming surprise. Luna and Vincent felt really real and sweet. Luna’s trying to prove herself, and Vincent quietly chasing his own dreams. Their bargain starts as just business, but their connection grows slowly and warmly, with lovely banter and gentle emotions. The magic in the story is subtle and adds a nice touch to the small-town feel, making it a perfect escape when you want something soft and comforting. Definitely 5 stars from me. Thank you so much to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early. I’m sharing my thoughts voluntarily and with genuine appreciation

I may or may not have requested this book based on its cover... and I am so glad I did. This is the kind of book you devour in one sitting. It was cozy, magical, mysterious, and romantic. I really liked it. ✨📚💫

When Luna bargained with an arrogant fae journalist to save her inn, the last thing she expected was to fall for him.

Half-fae Luna Pierce is getting what she’s always wanted — to run the Cliff House Inn. Except, it hasn’t had a visitor in months, one of the rooms is magically locked, and the owner, her estranged fae father, is threatening to sell. She has until Long Night, when fae from across the continent travel to the city of Sandrin, to change his mind.

Writing a recommendation column for the Bayside Times isn’t exactly what Vincent Andiveron pictured doing with his life. His pieces, telling the fae of Sandrin where to see and be seen, are fun but frivolous. Now, the best tip of his career — an investigation that could set him on a path to serious journalism — fell into his lap, and he just met the perfect source.

When the handsome fae Luna accidentally throws a drink at ends up being the city's taste-maker, she must decide if she can shelve her family baggage and make a bargain that could benefit them both. But this is no simple transaction. Vincent needs to turn the wild and warm Luna into a proprietor pleasing to the stodgy old fae. And Luna hasn’t been to her father’s house... well, ever, so getting Vincent access for his article might be tricky.

Their mutual attraction muddies the waters of their ambitions. What’s worse, all this time together might make Luna realize Vincent is not as snobby as he seemed, and Vincent might realize he doesn’t want to change a thing about Luna — she’s enchanting just the way she is.

I am a sucker for stories where characters slowly start developing feelings for each other, where the intimacy goes beyond spice and feels truly emotional. It also helps that we have a “bargain” that adds some delicious forced proximity, a strong female lead, and a bit of magic play thrown into the mix. 💕✨🌙 I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN.

Bargains with Benefits is a cozy standalone romantasy with spice in the Fae by the Bay series. Every book in this interconnected series ends with a HEA. If you like fae bargains, opposites attract, and half-fae heroines finding their place to belong, you’ll love this sweet and spicy story.

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and Jillian Witt for the ARC! 💌📖

A cozy, low-stakes romantasy that pairs soft magic with even softer feelings. Luna, a half-fae with something to prove, and Vincent, a wind-wielding columnist with quiet ambition, strike a deal to help each other—but their growing connection quickly complicates things.

The romance is a slow burn with great banter and real emotional growth, though the attraction mostly brews internally until the story's later half. The magic is subtle but charming, and the setting feels like a magical small town you’ll want to return to.

It’s not without flaws—some pacing issues, a few underdeveloped side threads—but if you’re in the mood for a comforting read with heart, a little spice, and plenty of charm, this one’s worth a try.

Ok this was so stinkin cute!!!! Bargains with Benefits is a cozy fantasy with low stakes, an engaging plot and characters that you just can’t help but root for.

We follow Vincent and Luna as they both find themselves in situations and strike a bargain to help each other out. I really loved both of the main characters, they were both so sweet. They were hesitant to trust each other at first since they were technically just using each other for their bargain but quickly realized that there was much more to their relationship.

I thought the plot was paced well I loved the twist at the end. Highly recommend!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the arc!

First person dual pov
Tropes; allies to lovers, cozy fantasy romance, spice, slow burn, stand alone

ALL REVIEWS POSTED ON MAY 23, 2025 (all reviews are the same on the different platforms)

3.75/5 ⭐️
2.75/5 🌶️
Releases/Publishes: June 3rd, 2025

This was such a cute cozy romance. It follows Luna and Vincent (and Vincent’s Wind?), alternating between their different POVs, as they connect and strike a bargain to benefit one another.

Luna, Vincent, and the supporting characters are all lovable with their fun, unique charms. I did enjoy this book, and maybe it took me a little longer to get through it since at some points I didn’t feel as invested in it, but towards the middle/end, things picked up and I found myself devouring it.

If you like a book that feels like a warm cup of tea and a cozy blanket while watching the rain out the window, this is for you.

Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing Co-Op, and Jillian Witt for this eARC! This cozy romance releases June 3rd, 2025!

Cosy, adorable, magical small town, found friends

Vincent and Luna are mature characters who communicate with each other rather than jumping to conclusions.

I loved how Vincent's magic reacted to Luna.

Luna is such a strong fmc, she is unapologetically true to herself. She sets her mind to something and does it.

Vincent is a successful colluminst in his own right but wants more. The story he is assigned is the perfect opportunity, it also gives him a chance to get close to Luna who he is enamored with from their first meeting.

When they strike up a bargain to help each other out, how long can they pretend their only spending time together to fulfil it.

This was such a cosy, heartwarming, enjoyable read.

Luna, a half-fae making a living by bartending at a friend's bar and doing the groundskeeping for her estranged father's inn, suddenly gets her life turned upside down when her nasty boss at said inn up and quits in frustration that the inn never receives any guests. Her father now gives her an ultimatum: run the inn and fill it with guests by the month's end, or he'll sell the one place she can call home.

Meanwhile, Vincent, a son of a rigid old fae court making a living by writing a recommendation column in the local paper, is desperate to start writing more important pieces. When the opportunity to do just that falls into his lap, he's eager to look into the potential corruption of a member of a rival court-- who happens to be Luna's father.

Dealing with their new realities, Luna and Vincent strike up a deal: she'll help him gain access to her father's house to investigate his piece, and he'll write a recommendation for her inn, which will all but guarantee that it'll be bursting with guests in no time. Naturally, there are a few roadblocks to working together... most notably, their incredible attraction to each other.

This was such a sweet, delightful detour of a book! Perhaps because of the setting, reading it felt like sipping tea while sitting by the fire at a small hotel in an unusual but endearing town. It was easy to get through, and a wonderful distraction from the heaviness of some of the other books I've read lately. While I do wish we'd gotten a bit more conflict in the book to make the ending feel more earned, I had a great time. The solutions do come easy to our main characters, and we don't get a huge amount of depth to them, but what we do learn allows the reader to become invested in them taking their own power back from those who have only sought to cage them in the past. It's lighthearted, but sometimes that's what you really need.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing me with a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Rating: 3.75 stars

Review posted to StoryGraph: May 20, 2025 (https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/06c2f5a9-170c-4d82-87b5-d06b5f34366d?redirect=true)
Review posted to Instagram: May 22, 2025 (https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ-Bt1nxteb/)

I loved this story! It was just the romantic comedy I needed with a little of a fantasy twist!

Luna is half fae but is living in quite the magical world and is just trying to stay afloat. While tending the bar she finds herself throwing a drink on a fully fae handsome man who might be the key to saving her family business. However he realizes he might just need her to help steer his career in the right direction.
While on mutual ground of business endeavors they find they might have feelings for one another with some hidden secrets to be revealed along the way.

The chemistry between Luna and Vince right from the beginning has me giddy! The way his magic has a mind of its own and he can’t seem to control it around her has me kicking my feet!!!

💕“My wind and I are one, but sometimes it does things I lack the courage to.” 💨✨


Thank you so much to Jillian Witt and NetGalley for the privilege and honor!