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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
At long last, we have the Bea Paige story I’ve been waiting for two series to revel in. Grim and Beast, the fan favorite characters that captured ALL our hearts have finally taken over the page. Tales You Win is their story, and what an unexpected but triumphant story it is! And what a start to this duet- it’s beautiful yet gritty, heartwarming yet heartbreaking, gentle yet volatile all at once. Tales You Win captures the very essence of the characters we love while also expanding their being- it’s consuming, it’s intention, it’s emotional, it’s magnetic. Just like the characters we love.
These two captured me from the first moment they graced the page, so of course I wanted to know everything about them. We’ve already seen them post HEA, we’ve already witnessed how easily their love and partnership evolves and adapts to every challenge in the future. We’ve already seen them be the stalwart constants orbiting each other, the reliable presence and emblem of love and loyalty. That’s how we fell in love with them- the magic between them, the charm, the connection swept us away- stealing scene after scene from some very loud and charismatic other characters. Because we could see the energy between them- even as secondary characters their love sparkled so brightly we couldn’t help but bathe in its beauty.
So, we needed their story like we needed air….yet, I was nervous. It was risky. I love these characters with such a ferocity, just from experiencing them as secondary actors in others’ stories, that I was nervous about cracking apart something so perfect. Situating them as leading protagonists was likely easy- we all already saw them as such. But Bea had the impossible task of telling a story in reverse- of somehow unraveling and rewinding, breaking them apart vs. putting them together. All while ensuring they don’t lose the very things that make them magic. She had to somehow make us see them differently, but also the same, helping us understand them better without changing the fabric of who we knew these characters to be. It certainly required a delicate hand and character-focused point of view, and fortunately Bea has that in spades. The love and tenderness she has for these characters pours out of these pages- just like the love Roger has for Kate, the bodyguard for his princess, that Beast has for Grim. I was apprehensive, but I was not disappointed- Bea not only connected me more deeply with the characters I love, she also stayed true to all that they are.
Truth be told, this is not at all the story I thought we’d get for the bold and self-assured Grim and the faithfully besotted, terrifying Beast. Interestingly enough, this isn’t quite an origin story, this isn’t QUITE the beginning. Bea convenes these characters before they’d fallen into each other, but the context and history that shapes them is already well underway. But that only makes it all the more rich- because both of these characters are already in conflict about their feelings. I anticipated the angst and tension between them- the longing, the misdirection, the tension and insane chemistry. What I didn’t anticipate was how much they’d be in conflict with their own being. This isn’t just about how they became a couple- it’s also about how they became the humans that they are. And that beautifully intersects with their romantic adversity - loving one another is undeniable, it’s given. But choosing to be together is all the more challenging when they are at a crossroads in their own identity. It’s the ultimate existential crisis- because who you are impacts not just who you love but HOW you love, and what you need.
Tales You Win. The flip of a coin. And a beautiful metaphorical reference to the most brilliant part of this story -- these two characters finding themselves at odds with the two parts of themselves. Kate and Grim, Roger and Beast. Nature and nurture - two souls who are trying to survive and thrive in the world they’re part of. Yet, they are both at different junctures of their identity- Kate is on the precipice of becoming the Grim we know, but far more vulnerable, hesitant, and impulsive than we remember. And Beast has already made his choice- letting go of the man for the animal, less jovial and warm than we remember, but no less charming. But his princess calls to his humanity, the man he buried. Both are teetering- two sides of a coin- desperately holding on to the parts of themselves they recognize while looking at a future that both are committed to but have to make sacrifices to realize. Sacrifices they were willing to make, until it was each other. We get to watch these characters try to figure themselves out- while still being everything we love. Grim is still loving but fierce, fun but powerful. Beast is still stoic and sassy- terrifying yet swoony. All the facets, all the pieces come to life in this story, in these moments. And only because of the catalyst their love is for each other-they see themselves BETTER through the eyes of the one who holds their heart. And most beautifully, we see just WHY their love is so magical. We knew it, now we get it. Beast and Grim nurture, respect, and love every single piece of one another- both sides of the coin. With each other they never have to choose, never have to flip the coin- they can be the entirety of themselves, every facet, every piece. Without apology or shame or fear. Together, they get to be WHOLE. Their FULLEST self, without sacrifice.
The burn, though, is excruciatingly slow. Like lady blue balls for DAYS. Bea, you cheeky naughty girl, making us wait so long to get inside their minds and now waiting to get them between the sheets! But, while slow burn isn’t my thing, this feels right. Both because of who these characters are, and because we’ve seen the aftermath of a hard fought battle for each other that we’re just now starting to understand. It makes the journey feel more weighty and powerful. The sexual and emotional tension are so deflty created I quite literally could hear my heart pounding. But by sidelining the physicality of this romance, Bea cleverly ensures we hone in on it’s true heart and soul. These are two characters who unequivocally love every piece of one another and who also love each other enough to sacrifice to be together. And because of this, while we’ve got several other characters and quite a bit of action and suspense, the narrative feels quite introspective, highly existential - these characters are figuring out just how to BE before they can figure out how to be with each other. So, the angst is real, but the swoon is also high. Their love feels epic, it feels meaningful and life changing- the smut will come (I want it), but these characters have never been driven by their physicality alone. They are one soul living in two hearts. Hearts that beat for each other. And, even if the steam is light, the tension is NOT- this was literary edging. Meow. And the foreshadowing of the smexy to come….......
Since this is a duet, anticipate a heart wrenching cliffhanger. Even if we know the ultimate ending of these two fan favorites, it doesn’t make it any more heart aching. Because even if we know the end game, we’ve yet to fully learn just how they got there- the pain, the loss, the love and hope it takes to get them to where we first met them. I could not love these characters more- my heart is so full, and so desperate for more.
These two captured me from the first moment they graced the page, so of course I wanted to know everything about them. We’ve already seen them post HEA, we’ve already witnessed how easily their love and partnership evolves and adapts to every challenge in the future. We’ve already seen them be the stalwart constants orbiting each other, the reliable presence and emblem of love and loyalty. That’s how we fell in love with them- the magic between them, the charm, the connection swept us away- stealing scene after scene from some very loud and charismatic other characters. Because we could see the energy between them- even as secondary characters their love sparkled so brightly we couldn’t help but bathe in its beauty.
So, we needed their story like we needed air….yet, I was nervous. It was risky. I love these characters with such a ferocity, just from experiencing them as secondary actors in others’ stories, that I was nervous about cracking apart something so perfect. Situating them as leading protagonists was likely easy- we all already saw them as such. But Bea had the impossible task of telling a story in reverse- of somehow unraveling and rewinding, breaking them apart vs. putting them together. All while ensuring they don’t lose the very things that make them magic. She had to somehow make us see them differently, but also the same, helping us understand them better without changing the fabric of who we knew these characters to be. It certainly required a delicate hand and character-focused point of view, and fortunately Bea has that in spades. The love and tenderness she has for these characters pours out of these pages- just like the love Roger has for Kate, the bodyguard for his princess, that Beast has for Grim. I was apprehensive, but I was not disappointed- Bea not only connected me more deeply with the characters I love, she also stayed true to all that they are.
Truth be told, this is not at all the story I thought we’d get for the bold and self-assured Grim and the faithfully besotted, terrifying Beast. Interestingly enough, this isn’t quite an origin story, this isn’t QUITE the beginning. Bea convenes these characters before they’d fallen into each other, but the context and history that shapes them is already well underway. But that only makes it all the more rich- because both of these characters are already in conflict about their feelings. I anticipated the angst and tension between them- the longing, the misdirection, the tension and insane chemistry. What I didn’t anticipate was how much they’d be in conflict with their own being. This isn’t just about how they became a couple- it’s also about how they became the humans that they are. And that beautifully intersects with their romantic adversity - loving one another is undeniable, it’s given. But choosing to be together is all the more challenging when they are at a crossroads in their own identity. It’s the ultimate existential crisis- because who you are impacts not just who you love but HOW you love, and what you need.
Tales You Win. The flip of a coin. And a beautiful metaphorical reference to the most brilliant part of this story -- these two characters finding themselves at odds with the two parts of themselves. Kate and Grim, Roger and Beast. Nature and nurture - two souls who are trying to survive and thrive in the world they’re part of. Yet, they are both at different junctures of their identity- Kate is on the precipice of becoming the Grim we know, but far more vulnerable, hesitant, and impulsive than we remember. And Beast has already made his choice- letting go of the man for the animal, less jovial and warm than we remember, but no less charming. But his princess calls to his humanity, the man he buried. Both are teetering- two sides of a coin- desperately holding on to the parts of themselves they recognize while looking at a future that both are committed to but have to make sacrifices to realize. Sacrifices they were willing to make, until it was each other. We get to watch these characters try to figure themselves out- while still being everything we love. Grim is still loving but fierce, fun but powerful. Beast is still stoic and sassy- terrifying yet swoony. All the facets, all the pieces come to life in this story, in these moments. And only because of the catalyst their love is for each other-they see themselves BETTER through the eyes of the one who holds their heart. And most beautifully, we see just WHY their love is so magical. We knew it, now we get it. Beast and Grim nurture, respect, and love every single piece of one another- both sides of the coin. With each other they never have to choose, never have to flip the coin- they can be the entirety of themselves, every facet, every piece. Without apology or shame or fear. Together, they get to be WHOLE. Their FULLEST self, without sacrifice.
The burn, though, is excruciatingly slow. Like lady blue balls for DAYS. Bea, you cheeky naughty girl, making us wait so long to get inside their minds and now waiting to get them between the sheets! But, while slow burn isn’t my thing, this feels right. Both because of who these characters are, and because we’ve seen the aftermath of a hard fought battle for each other that we’re just now starting to understand. It makes the journey feel more weighty and powerful. The sexual and emotional tension are so deflty created I quite literally could hear my heart pounding. But by sidelining the physicality of this romance, Bea cleverly ensures we hone in on it’s true heart and soul. These are two characters who unequivocally love every piece of one another and who also love each other enough to sacrifice to be together. And because of this, while we’ve got several other characters and quite a bit of action and suspense, the narrative feels quite introspective, highly existential - these characters are figuring out just how to BE before they can figure out how to be with each other. So, the angst is real, but the swoon is also high. Their love feels epic, it feels meaningful and life changing- the smut will come (I want it), but these characters have never been driven by their physicality alone. They are one soul living in two hearts. Hearts that beat for each other. And, even if the steam is light, the tension is NOT- this was literary edging. Meow. And the foreshadowing of the smexy to come….
Since this is a duet, anticipate a heart wrenching cliffhanger. Even if we know the ultimate ending of these two fan favorites, it doesn’t make it any more heart aching. Because even if we know the end game, we’ve yet to fully learn just how they got there- the pain, the loss, the love and hope it takes to get them to where we first met them. I could not love these characters more- my heart is so full, and so desperate for more.
Oh my heart. Seriously. I could not handle the feelings in this book. Literally, COULD NOT CONTAIN them. You know that twisty feeling you get in the pit of your stomach? The angst in this book had my stomach in knots!! I could not stop reading though!
Grim and Beast: I’m officially obsessed with them!! Their relationship and their banter and the FEELINGS!!! All of the feelings! I’m coming into this a little differently than others who have read the Academy of Stardom series (that’s coming soon for me I’m pretty sure!!!). I have only “met” Grim & Beast briefly in the Their Obsession Duet. However, I loved the glimpse I did get and I REALLY wanted to learn more about them; to learn about the beginnings of their love story.
Grim’s sass, her strength, and her determination are my favorite things about her. She is a woman in a world where she isn’t necessarily thought of as holding any real power and she is intent on breaking that mold. Beast is loyal to a fault and my goodness does that seem to make things endlessly more difficult for him with Grim. Each time they had these CRAZY angsty moments, it was like 5 steps forward, 10 steps back. The connection between these two jumps off the page. I think one of the things I loved the most about how their relationship evolves is how they are sort of learning about themselves in the process. Beast is learning about his feelings and how deep they go for this one person and Grim is still growing into her own within her father’s world. They are both trying to navigate as they go while the map keeps changing. That sort of what it felt like to me. And, as a reader, IT DEFINITELY KEPT ME ON MY TOES!!!!
The writing, as with other books I’ve read by Bea Paige, was fantastic!
Grim and Beast: I’m officially obsessed with them!! Their relationship and their banter and the FEELINGS!!! All of the feelings! I’m coming into this a little differently than others who have read the Academy of Stardom series (that’s coming soon for me I’m pretty sure!!!). I have only “met” Grim & Beast briefly in the Their Obsession Duet. However, I loved the glimpse I did get and I REALLY wanted to learn more about them; to learn about the beginnings of their love story.
Grim’s sass, her strength, and her determination are my favorite things about her. She is a woman in a world where she isn’t necessarily thought of as holding any real power and she is intent on breaking that mold. Beast is loyal to a fault and my goodness does that seem to make things endlessly more difficult for him with Grim. Each time they had these CRAZY angsty moments, it was like 5 steps forward, 10 steps back. The connection between these two jumps off the page. I think one of the things I loved the most about how their relationship evolves is how they are sort of learning about themselves in the process. Beast is learning about his feelings and how deep they go for this one person and Grim is still growing into her own within her father’s world. They are both trying to navigate as they go while the map keeps changing. That sort of what it felt like to me. And, as a reader, IT DEFINITELY KEPT ME ON MY TOES!!!!
The writing, as with other books I’ve read by Bea Paige, was fantastic!
i can't believe i just wasted 3 hours of my life reading this. i finished it out of spite but i wouldn't recommend this to my worst enemy.
beast is described as a gentleman who treats women as queens yet he treats grim as a ragdoll, throwing her over his shoulder, telling her what to wear, how to act.... he even flirts with her non stop even tho he knows she is underage, his boss' daughter and off limits. and beast, babe, giving the girl you like the hearts of her enemies it's fucking weird and not the take you think it is. go to therapy.
grim is fucking unlikable. she spends most of the book throwing herself at beast even tho he's said dozens of times there won't ever be anything between them... have some self respect girl. you want to be "queen" of tales yet you act like a spoiled child that doesn't get what they want. saying she feels humiliated when beast rejected her. no means no, it goes both ways.
their relationship is also so strange, it's not even an enemies to lovers, they spend 75% of the book fighting and insulting each other. beast talks about how his dick aches and has 'blue balls' more than anything else and it's fucking boring. then suddenly he tattooes her hand outline over his heart? again, not the take you think it is.
i didn't see the gentleman they say beast is nor the queen grim claims to be.
i'm even more ashamed that a woman wrote a book like this, full of misogynistic takes and toxic relationships; talking about cocks and tits every paragraph as if that's all a person could ever be
beast is described as a gentleman who treats women as queens yet he treats grim as a ragdoll, throwing her over his shoulder, telling her what to wear, how to act.... he even flirts with her non stop even tho he knows she is underage, his boss' daughter and off limits. and beast, babe, giving the girl you like the hearts of her enemies it's fucking weird and not the take you think it is. go to therapy.
grim is fucking unlikable. she spends most of the book throwing herself at beast even tho he's said dozens of times there won't ever be anything between them... have some self respect girl. you want to be "queen" of tales yet you act like a spoiled child that doesn't get what they want. saying she feels humiliated when beast rejected her. no means no, it goes both ways.
their relationship is also so strange, it's not even an enemies to lovers, they spend 75% of the book fighting and insulting each other. beast talks about how his dick aches and has 'blue balls' more than anything else and it's fucking boring. then suddenly he tattooes her hand outline over his heart? again, not the take you think it is.
i didn't see the gentleman they say beast is nor the queen grim claims to be.
i'm even more ashamed that a woman wrote a book like this, full of misogynistic takes and toxic relationships; talking about cocks and tits every paragraph as if that's all a person could ever be
medium-paced
Grim is set to help her father run his less than legal business, but he’s being cagey. And her bodyguard Beast & her are driving each other crazy… especially sexually.
obsessed
I have been so exited about this duet and Bea Paige hasn’t disappointed. I have been obsessed with Beast and Grim since I first read about them in the Academy of Stardom Series! I can’t wait for the final book.
I have been so exited about this duet and Bea Paige hasn’t disappointed. I have been obsessed with Beast and Grim since I first read about them in the Academy of Stardom Series! I can’t wait for the final book.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Gahhh! I have waited too long for Grim and Beast’s story and finally I’ve got my hands on it. It is all angst you guys. Slow burn to death but the tension is delicious. And the forbidden/ish aspect of their relationship makes everything more alluring. I have already read the previous series that kinda introduced the couple beforehand but with this duet, when the second part comes out, my craving for more of everything that is Grim and Beast will be satisfied. I just can’t wait for Heads You Lose!
I absolutely loved the first part of Grim and Beast's story! Grim is a badass who has been through the wringer thanks to her dad. Growing up the daughter of a gangster isn't easy, but when your father assigns a hot bodyguard to you, that can complicate things. Beast and Grim have feelings for one another, but Beast knows he can't cross that line with her. He's her protector and her father's right-hand man. But Kate doesn't make things easy for him throughout the book. When everything goes to hell, Kate is forced to make a decision that changes both of their lives, and neither will be the same.
Tales You Win is book 1 in the Grim & Beast duet, and if you love angst and forbidden-ish love...check out this amazing book!
Tales You Win is book 1 in the Grim & Beast duet, and if you love angst and forbidden-ish love...check out this amazing book!
Tales You Win is the beginning of Grimm & Beast story. Grimm is the “princess” aka Carter’s daughter and the next to take over the family business. Beast is her father enforcer and Grimm’s bodyguard. But to see how they starts falling in love is remarkable. I love how Grimm feels herself around Beast. And for Beast to finally come to terms with his feelings but is betrayal in the end. To says Kelly carries us on amazing rollercoaster is understatement. I have been waiting for their story and now I can’t wait to see their story finishes in Head You Lose.