The Redwood Bargain is a story about secrets and friendship. If you love a story where the forest comes alive? Then this is for you! Keep reading this book review of The Redwood Bargain for my full thoughts.
Summary
To free her cousin from an indentured contract, Katrien agrees to fulfill their lord’s bargain with the fabled “Redwood Man.” Three maids before her have posed as his stepdaughter, Lady Zaviera, and met this lord of the forest as promised. But Katrien means to be the first to fool him—and live.
Impersonating a Lady is no easy feat, especially one as beautiful and aloof as Zaviera. With one month before she’s sent off, Katrien is put through endless lessons, even as the Redwood Man’s suffocating vines overtake the manor and threaten its staff.
Zaviera takes a special interest in her training, and their shared interests grow into shared affections. But the Redwood Man awaits his prize. Caught between duty and desire, her future and her past, Katrien must navigate a tricky bargain—or risk failing those she holds dearest.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Redwood Bargain has one of my favorite elements when a forest feels like it’s alive. A setting crossing this line and becoming a character and more than just a place is one of my favorites. This Brother’s Grimm retelling is brewing and overflowing with atmosphere. That’s probably my favorite element of The Redwood Bargain. At the same time, it’s a story about being terrified we’d be exposed as a fraud and if we should start something even if we know the ending. What happens if we face the ending before the beginning?
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Combined with the atmosphere, The Redwood Bargain sweeps us away. It asks us whether we would condemn everyone to save ourselves, our love? It’s full of secrets of the past and friendship amongst adversity and bargains. This is everything a fairy tale retelling should be! Find The Redwood Bargain on Goodreads, Storygraph, Bookshop. org, & Blackwells.