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bettielovesbooks's review against another edition
1.0
DNF could not get pass the sexual harassment, sorry, maybe other people think its sexy but I found disturbing how she had sex with him after one touch when she hated him, without any build up. He was her boss, who made up a meeting out of nothing and then had sex with her... nope.
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
First in the Beautiful Bastard erotic romance series. The couple focus is on Chloe Mills and Bennett Ryan.
Heh. So many thought the Fifty Shades series was good. Pshaw. You wanna read Beautiful Bastard for a much better dominance fight with true heat.
Beautiful Bastard was originally online as The Office.
I received a story ARC from the publisher.
My Take
I just wanna smack the guy! Which is exactly what C&L intend in this start. I love how the authors progress with Bennett's first, ahem, approach, "...his hand pressed gently into my lower back before sliding down, settling on the curve…" which is followed by Chloe's discombobulated reaction. One that reads so true! I loved it.
This story is strictly about the battle between two people: he wants it and she fights it.
C&L build the erotic tension so well with Chloe's body wanting it and her mind rebelling. They then extend the conflict into everything about Bennett and Chloe from her credit card revenge to those blue balls moments
Loved the motif C&L built in with the panties! Too funny, and heated. Getting even more heated with the credit account at La Perla...yikes.
Oh yeah, the ramp-up! Susan's subtle "dig" about a love interest for Chloe just digs another hole under Bennett's heart. I hate to confess this, but I rather enjoy watching Bennett break and Chloe melt…
The Story
Bastard! Chloe is furious. And trapped. No intern in history has ever had such an opportunity. Creating a successful campaign for such a powerhouse will open doors everywhere. If she can just survive that bastard!
The Characters
Chloe Mills has been working as an intern at the Ryan Media Group while finishing up her MBA. Sara Dillon is in the same MBA internship program. Julia has been her best friend since middle school and a buyer for Gucci.
Bennett Ryan is a cocky, cold-hearted son-of-a-bitch, a complete contrast to the rest of his family. The youngest son, he has a short fuse,is a slave driver with no care or consideration for life's events, although he engineers some amazing cock-ups. Elliott Ryan is his father and the founder of the media company; Susan is Elliott's wife, and they both adore Chloe. Henry is an older brother "and the nicest guy I'd ever met". Mina is his wife, and they have a daughter, Sophia, who just adores her Uncle Benny.
Kelsey is the new temporary assistant, followed by Isaac, Jill, and two more. Joel Cignoli is a nice guy, who grew up with Henry and Bennett. Emily "runs a charitable organization that Ryan Media supports". Sylvie was the Parisian girlfriend.
Mr. Gugliotti is a potential new client whom Chloe has to impress, due to circumstances, before Bennett pulls the rug out. Troy Julian at Studio Marketing is Chloe's new boss.
Director Cheng heads the JT Miller Scholarship board.
The Cover
The cover is of a cocky bastard. It's there in his self-assured adjusting of his cufflink in the full-frontal, chin-to-waist photo of Bennett.
The title is accurate, for Bennett Ryan is a Beautiful Bastard.
Heh. So many thought the Fifty Shades series was good. Pshaw. You wanna read Beautiful Bastard for a much better dominance fight with true heat.
Beautiful Bastard was originally online as The Office.
I received a story ARC from the publisher.
My Take
I just wanna smack the guy! Which is exactly what C&L intend in this start. I love how the authors progress with Bennett's first, ahem, approach, "...his hand pressed gently into my lower back before sliding down, settling on the curve…" which is followed by Chloe's discombobulated reaction. One that reads so true! I loved it.
This story is strictly about the battle between two people: he wants it and she fights it.
C&L build the erotic tension so well with Chloe's body wanting it and her mind rebelling. They then extend the conflict into everything about Bennett and Chloe from her credit card revenge to those blue balls moments
Loved the motif C&L built in with the panties! Too funny, and heated. Getting even more heated with the credit account at La Perla...yikes.
Oh yeah, the ramp-up! Susan's subtle "dig" about a love interest for Chloe just digs another hole under Bennett's heart. I hate to confess this, but I rather enjoy watching Bennett break and Chloe melt…
The Story
Bastard! Chloe is furious. And trapped. No intern in history has ever had such an opportunity. Creating a successful campaign for such a powerhouse will open doors everywhere. If she can just survive that bastard!
The Characters
Chloe Mills has been working as an intern at the Ryan Media Group while finishing up her MBA. Sara Dillon is in the same MBA internship program. Julia has been her best friend since middle school and a buyer for Gucci.
Bennett Ryan is a cocky, cold-hearted son-of-a-bitch, a complete contrast to the rest of his family. The youngest son, he has a short fuse,is a slave driver with no care or consideration for life's events, although he engineers some amazing cock-ups. Elliott Ryan is his father and the founder of the media company; Susan is Elliott's wife, and they both adore Chloe. Henry is an older brother "and the nicest guy I'd ever met". Mina is his wife, and they have a daughter, Sophia, who just adores her Uncle Benny.
Kelsey is the new temporary assistant, followed by Isaac, Jill, and two more. Joel Cignoli is a nice guy, who grew up with Henry and Bennett. Emily "runs a charitable organization that Ryan Media supports". Sylvie was the Parisian girlfriend.
Mr. Gugliotti is a potential new client whom Chloe has to impress, due to circumstances, before Bennett pulls the rug out. Troy Julian at Studio Marketing is Chloe's new boss.
Director Cheng heads the JT Miller Scholarship board.
The Cover
The cover is of a cocky bastard. It's there in his self-assured adjusting of his cufflink in the full-frontal, chin-to-waist photo of Bennett.
The title is accurate, for Bennett Ryan is a Beautiful Bastard.
gauriraut's review against another edition
1.0
This book made me feel icky and stupid.
Character analysis:
I did not care for the ML at all. He was meant to be an alpha male type I guess, but he seemed like a constipated dick to me.
As for the FL, she was supposed to be a hardworking, LaPerla wearing, having a tragic past, sexy assistant, but good god, I hated it and her. She somehow had this 'not like other girls' vibe about her.
Plot:
Plot what plot, that was a porno.
They had zero chemistry. I don't know why writers try to insert romantic compatibility where there is sexual compatibility (thought that was the icky part to read).
They apparently hated each other. I can't exactly remember why. Maybe he hated her because he couldn't have her so he was being a middle school bully, and she hated him because I think he was rude and physically attractive? Idr, it was weird.
Writing:
Meh. Though a lot of the stuff he said (and she too) was creepy and cringy.
Everything I hated:
1. They had sex in a changing room at a lingerie shop. And no it was not sexy. It was gross and creepy, not to mention very unsanitary for the other people who will be using that room.
2. He was jealous in such an ugly possessive way. She ain't a toy bro, chill.
3. The unnecessary 'realisation of love' part. Be fuck buddies you guys. There's no shame.
4. The fact that she calls him 'Beautiful Bastard' *gags*
5. He speaks French and it's sexy *snooze*
6. She falls in love so fast. It isn't love, sister. It's just all the endorphins that the conference room sex is releasing.
7. He has a panty fetish.
8. Not to mention the fact that he said that what he felt for her the first time he saw her (yes only saw for one moment, not talk, just saw her laughing), he hadn't felt his entire relationship with his ex-girlfriend. Idk if it's supposed to be romantic, but I do not think a guy who so blatantly disregards his ex-girlfriend isn't shit.
Everything I liked:
When it ended.
Conclusion:
Nope. Not for me.
Character analysis:
I did not care for the ML at all. He was meant to be an alpha male type I guess, but he seemed like a constipated dick to me.
As for the FL, she was supposed to be a hardworking, LaPerla wearing, having a tragic past, sexy assistant, but good god, I hated it and her. She somehow had this 'not like other girls' vibe about her.
Plot:
Plot what plot, that was a porno.
They had zero chemistry. I don't know why writers try to insert romantic compatibility where there is sexual compatibility (thought that was the icky part to read).
They apparently hated each other. I can't exactly remember why. Maybe he hated her because he couldn't have her so he was being a middle school bully, and she hated him because I think he was rude and physically attractive? Idr, it was weird.
Writing:
Meh. Though a lot of the stuff he said (and she too) was creepy and cringy.
Everything I hated:
1. They had sex in a changing room at a lingerie shop. And no it was not sexy. It was gross and creepy, not to mention very unsanitary for the other people who will be using that room.
2. He was jealous in such an ugly possessive way. She ain't a toy bro, chill.
3. The unnecessary 'realisation of love' part. Be fuck buddies you guys. There's no shame.
4. The fact that she calls him 'Beautiful Bastard' *gags*
5. He speaks French and it's sexy *snooze*
6. She falls in love so fast. It isn't love, sister. It's just all the endorphins that the conference room sex is releasing.
7. He has a panty fetish.
8. Not to mention the fact that he said that what he felt for her the first time he saw her (yes only saw for one moment, not talk, just saw her laughing), he hadn't felt his entire relationship with his ex-girlfriend. Idk if it's supposed to be romantic, but I do not think a guy who so blatantly disregards his ex-girlfriend isn't shit.
Everything I liked:
When it ended.
Conclusion:
Nope. Not for me.
the_cover_contessa's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Three is generous. Lots of sex. Lots of anger. Meh plot line. Can see it’s an early work compared to more recent things I’ve read. Let’s see what the rest of the series brings.
elcanaldevenecia's review against another edition
5.0
Such a jerk but in his true side he has a truly puppy heart
lizeth26's review against another edition
3.0
Reread: 3/5 stars June 20, 2023
I've been reading Christina Lauren books for the last couple of years and I definitely believe this book is probably the weakest one they have so far. I have enjoyed all their books recently. Rereading this probably wasn't the best idea I've had so far.
I've been reading Christina Lauren books for the last couple of years and I definitely believe this book is probably the weakest one they have so far. I have enjoyed all their books recently. Rereading this probably wasn't the best idea I've had so far.
lollscoloredglasses's review against another edition
3.0
Hmmm. I liked it. Especially the name calling. It did kind of remind of the old "If a boy teases you he likes you" theory you hear as a child so that was a bit annoying. All in all a good quick read.