A review by smalltowncreepy
The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

 

As a fan of Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, I love to see when authors take the regency romance and twist it with new ideas. Polk did that and more. There is so much to love about this book – especially for witchy types like myself. Despite being in a fantasy world, I could see not only Austenian references but also the influence of occult secret societies like the Golden Dawn in this book’s commentary about the role of women in high society. There is also the realistic back and forth about lower class women and upper class women that calls to the early suffragist and women’s work movements. All that added with Beatrice’s knowledge of trade gave the book’s fantasy so much realism, I never questioned the way magic works in this world.

The romance creates a lot of warm and fuzzy moments but also hypes up my anxiety for the characters. While some books that try and make the main character feel stuck between a rock and a hard place feel contrived, I genuinely never saw a good way out for Beatrice until the end. I was CONCERNED, y’all. It kept me reading until low and behold I’d binged the whole book in a day. I’m already planning to re-read so I can better grasp the drama that I just experienced.

The ending of the book did have a couple of things that felt contrived.
Spoiler Warning
While I am always a fan of the happily ever after, the parents fighting with Ysbeta, Ianthe, and Beatrice then deciding to support their kids…it felt contrived. Perhaps my own experiences and seeing the lives of other people who have issues getting along with parents…but I just can’t grasp it. Personally, Mr. Clayborn can come on the boat to be thrown off and take a big drink. Its the only part of the book that made my eyes roll.

While we’re in spoiler territory, I did like that Polk didn’t stick to too many stereotypes of Regency romance that I’ve seen – specifically the misunderstandings carrying on or the heroine holding a secret that could destroy her reputation for half a book. When Beatrice is threatened by Danton so that he can try and secure his sister’s interest, she tells Ianthe and I applaud the scene.
End Spoilers

From world development to characters I adored to a plot that urged me to turn the next page – The Midnight Bargain was an excellent journey.

Fans of Galen Beckett’s The Magician and Mrs. Quent as well as fantasy readers who also enjoy Austen and Bronte will LOVE The Midnight Bargain.