A half-fae tavern wench who moonlights as a groundskeeper for an inn is given the task to get the inn full for an upcoming festival or the proprietor will sell it. She seeks the help of a witty journalist to help her get her inn on the map, but the bargain may be too steep for her liking.

This adorable story meets our FMC who is trying to make ends meet and living with the grief of the death of her mom and her estranged dad. As fate would have it, she meets a local, very well-known, journalist whose recommendations lead people to flock to taverns, restaurants, and bars a plenty. When she learns the inn she loves is now under her management and is threatened to be sold, she must fill the rooms. She strikes a bargain with the journalist: a good review for help on an assignment of his. But everything goes awry when she learns his assignment is her estranged father.

Filled with supportive friends, a meet cute, lots of angst, and tons of adorable moments, this is a warm and cozy romantic story that you will adore.

Half-fae Luna Pierce is living her dream of running the Cliff House Inn, an inn that is owned by her estranged Fae father. But when her father threatens to sell the inn, Luna convinces him to give her time to prove that the inn can be profitable, too bad she doesn’t possess fae magic herself, oh and the fact that she threw a drink in the face of Vincent Andiveron, the recommendations columnist for the Bayside.

But lucky for them, all is not lost, since Vincent also has a dream, and it isn’t writing the recommendation column, he wants to write investigative pieces and has the best idea for a story but lacks a source. That is until he meets Luna, and they strike a bargain – he will help her make her inn the “must-visit” destination and she will help him crack his story about her father. What could go wrong??

I will be blunt – this could have been a great story, but I had issues – first and foremost it is written in First Person Narrative and if that wasn’t bad enough – it is a dual POV FPN – I seriously dislike FPN, but I hate dual POV FPN – I just can’t. Secondly, it was kind of predictable and a bit cliché, and finally the romance was blah (and clearly my idea of “spicy” is not the same as the author’s). The story does have some bright points; I did like both Luna and Vincent and I thought the family issues were handled well. But for me this story was a miss, it felt more like a YA fantasy than an adult cozy fantasy, and I didn’t read the previous series, but I don’t think that would have made difference.

2.5 stars, rounded up

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

Firstly I would like to say thank you to Jillian Witt for the opportunity to read this book early! I had such a fun time reading this book and loved the world it was set in.

If you are a lover of Cozy, low stakes romantasy books then this one would be great for you! I loved the way these two characters bonded over the course of this book, it felt incredibly natural and it was such a sweet love story to watch develop.

This is the first book by Jillian Witt that I have read but it definitely won't be my last, I'm a huge lover of books set In fantasy worlds where it isn't life or death for the characters because sometimes a girl just wants to read something whimsical and magical without the added threat of assassins or trying to rule a kingdom. The way this book is set out is the perfect amount of plot and romance where I never felt overwhelmed by the plot but was still very much invested in where it was going!

I am very much looking forward to reading the rest of Jillian Witt's back catalogue of books and seeing what she writes next!

OMG, I LOVED the chemistry and story. This had such cute connections and was written in a way that helped you feel the frustrations, sadness, and happiness throughout. I can't wait to recommend it to friends!

Bargains with Benefits is a cute and cozy fantasy romance. It follows half-fae Luna, who is trying to save an inn she loves, and old fae Vincent, who is trying to branch out from writing recommendations and into hard-hitting stories, as they strike up a bargain that helps them achieve their goals. Although I had trouble finishing this book, I did enjoy the characters, they were relatable and lovable. The world-building was easy to follow, and easy to picture what was happening in the story. My main issue with this book was the pacing; I found it difficult to want to pick it up because, no matter how much I read, it felt like I was spending a lot of time reading without much happening. I appreciate getting the chance to read this.

A solid 3.5 stars for me! ⭐ The book was super cute with its easy going cozy fantasy world. The characters, Luna and Vincent, were humourous and personable. I enjoyed the setting of this magical world and the author did a great job in discussing it. The plot was simple yet quaint in its meaning. The story did have a small hit of spice which didn't overwhelm any of the relationship developments. My one complaint would be that about 2/3 of the way into the book, the story felt a bit rushed. Overall, this was a good cozy fantasy book with a nice dash of spice thrown in.

Fun, cozy with a theme of forgiveness, some romance, and a dash of magic. I honestly needed something relatively light, and while this book delves into some difficult topics, there was enough light-heartedness to offset some of that difficulty.

I loved the characters, the world and its lore, and the relationships between the characters. Even without reading the "prequel" series, I understood what was going on well, and this story stands on its own legs.

Looking forward to any further adventures in this world.

Note: There is some spicy scenes towards the end of the book (2ish) and easy to see coming.

I really enjoyed this book, particularly the micro-trope of "his magic is obsessed with her," which I have not seen before. It added such a clever plot element (and some spice!) by functioning as an inner voice for the mmc the same way the "shifter" tropes do, but was instead sweet and nonviolent I will definitely seek more of that out. The banter was fun, the characters were well developed and I found myself caring about them, the burn was just slow enough and the world building/ elemental magic system was great. I enjoyed the political undertones as well. I was genuinely surprised by some of the twists and turns of the plot and kept finding myself sneaking away from my work to finish reading this one! Spicy but sweet. I have not read the authors previous trilogy set in the same world, but will, and will keep an eye out for the rest of the books in this series. Must read if you like cozy, spicy romantasy!

A charming fae romance with wit, warmth, and just the right amount of spice
Bargains with Benefits delivers a delightful blend of whimsical romantasy and slow-burn romance that I really enjoyed. Luna Pierce, a half-fae trying to save her inn and navigate complicated family ties, is a wonderfully relatable heroine—strong, warm, and a bit guarded. Vincent, the arrogant but surprisingly charming fae journalist, provides the perfect foil, and their witty banter kept me engaged throughout.
The story shines in its low-stakes, cozy setting with touches of magic, fae politics, and found family vibes that add depth without overwhelming the romance. The worldbuilding felt fresh and inviting, and the low-stakes were enough to keep me invested in Luna’s journey to belong and Vincent’s shift in perspective.
If you enjoy opposites-attract dynamics with a magical twist, plus a sweet but spicy slow-burn, this standalone in the Fae by the Bay series is definitely worth a read. It pairs nicely with other cozy fantasy/romantasy like Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries and The God and the Gumiho.
The only reason I’m not giving five stars is that I wanted a little more complexity in the conflict and pacing felt a bit uneven at times—but overall, a very satisfying and enjoyable read!

Ooooh yes. Cozy cozy cozy! Such a cute book. I thought I’d finish it in one reading but I actually ended up taking my time because of how much I enjoyed being in this little world 💖

This book is absolutely charming! It was so well written I couldn't put it down. Everyone behaved like actual people. Neither of the MCs fell into the trap of making their relationship their whole personality. Both characters had their own lives, struggles, wants, and needs. The MCs had amazing chemistry and banter. This book was super cozy but also had some heat. 10/10 can't recommend enough! Run don't walk when this hits the shelves!

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!