The Midnight Bargain Review

I should have something clever to say to you,” “But for all my love of beauty, I have no gift that transmutes the depth of my heart into perfect words.” 
“That protestation had beauty in it.” Beatrice said.
“But not enough.” 
Beatrice Clayborn is a sorceress who practices magic in secret, terrified of the day she will be locked into a marital collar that will cut off her powers to protect her and her unborn children for spirits. She dreams of becoming a Magus and pursuing magic, but in this world only men hold that ability, and her family has given up everything to for her for first Bargaining Season, when young men and women of means negotiate the best marriages. The Clayborns are in severe debt, and only Beatrice can save them by securing a wealthy union. 
Beatrice is on the hunt for a grimoire that she can decode and find a way to become a Magus, when she meets the Lavan siblings.
Ysbeta longs for the exact thing Beatrice does… to be free and a sorceress, and Ysy bargains with Beatrice to learn how to house a greater spirit and be free of the martial restrains, and Ysbeta will find that her brother Ianthe will be betrothed to Beatric.
Beatrice’s makes a deal with the spirit of luck that inhabits her. A night of dancing, cake, punch, the stars and a kiss….her first kiss that is given to none other than Ianthe, the handsome, compassionate, man who desires nothing more than her heart and happiness. 
As Beatrice’s feelings grow for Ianthe the decision to let go of her martial obligation and be a free Magus becomes more difficult. Maybe she can put on the collar and be a wife. Maybe she can give up her dream for love….

What I loved:
-I loved the time frame. It gave me Jane Austen vibes and a great regency Inspo romance with a twist of magic
-Nadi- the spirit who bonded with Beatrice was by far my favorite. There were moments I cried when Nadi was pushed out, hurt or fighting for Bea. 
-Ianthe and Beatrice- again a beautiful regency style love story, clean, innocent, and oh so sweet.
-The courting- I loved the drama of the bargaining season, with Danton and many others. I found it the most interesting part.

What I struggled with:
-The magic sometimes was confusing or hard to picture, but in the end I feel like I understood it well enough
-The romance- yes I know I said it was sweet and enjoyable but I always struggle with “small stolen moments” and a big “I love you HEA” HOWEVER! I wrote regency romance for a reason. I think the romance was fitting to that time and enough for the story, I just craved more as a romantic.
– I wish I could have seen the magic practiced more instead of just described.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it!
thank you Netgalley and publishers for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating:

overall-⭐️⭐️⭐️💫- would recommend to a friend

Romance- swoon worthy and adorable, pinkies up!

steaminess- “sir… are you we going to sit by a cold fire all night?”