Reviews

Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast by Stephanie Harrell

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fmcfranny's review

4.0

Dr. Beast lives up to his name and his parents are worse. Lily is a strong young woman trying to do too much to keep her and her father's lives afloat. It's not easy and not fun for sure. The journey they take is a fun read and a sweet ending.

lizz_buch_books's review

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3.0

This wasn't my favorite book. It took me a long time to finish. The premise that this is supposed to be a spin-off of Beauty and the Beast really through me because truthfully it was just another Grumpy/Sunshine romance. I wanted more from the character development and it felt like the jump into certain scenes was abrupt.

the_mayan_ruins's review

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emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

I really wanted to not like this book because Jaxon Beast wasn’t doing it for me. I thought he had a stupid name and was an asshole. Even with my preconceived ideas about the book I got SUCKED IN! And ended up really enjoying this book

franny_gallops's review

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3.5

Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast: Stephanie Harrell

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Love: ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Humour: 😂😂

Fluff: ☁️☁️

Predictability: 🎱🎱🎱🎱

Spice quantity: 🌶️🌶️.5

Spice quality: 🥵🥵🥵

*WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD*

Firstly, who comes up with the names of some of these books? I got this one free on stuff your kindle day back in September and needed a light read after my last book (Honeysuckles, if anyone is interested). Hopefully this is what I’m after

First impressions of Mr. Beast aren’t great, he comes off as an arrogant rich boy who thinks his time and opinion are worth more than everyone else. Even after seeing his reasoning for why he was such a 🔔🔚 I don’t feel makes it better. He was clearly blasé enough when he walked in the meeting only a few minutes late and while I understand the sentimental aspect of wanting the book physically, I still don’t understand the reason that keeping rights to the translation is so important.

I get it, Lily is a genius. This seems to be repeated over and over particularly with the brag of having seven degrees and being almost through with an eighth, a doctorate in book restoration. I’m not sure how realistic that is considering she is only 28 on top of her and her father having financial difficulties. At this point I’m not seeing much in the way of personality from Lily. I’m hoping this will rectify itself when she goes to live with Dr. Beast

In just two brief appearances I’m getting stalker vibes from Gavin. Prediction 🔮: Gavin will find out about Lily’s situation with her father and blackmail her into dating him or worse.

So far (23%) there’s not a lot to say that is nice about Dr. Beast. He’s rude and arrogant and his only saving grace is that he is tall dark and handsome. Lily’s personality is starting to show through more now though.

“You’d rather stay in this room hungry than eat with me?” I straightened my spine, not letting my gaze waiver from his. “Yes.” He dropped his arms, clenching his hands into fists at his side. With a deep growl that reverberated through my room, he said. “Fine. Then don’t eat at all.” I’ve got to be honest I rolled my eyes hard at this.

Ms. Ketill is my favourite character so far. She’s finally brought out a different side of Jaxon.

I finally started warming up to Jaxon but it turns out he’s engaged. It’s a sham engagement with his friend to protect her from an arranged marriage she didn’t want.

Another creepy cameo by Gavin.

I definitely started to like Jaxon more as the book progressed. The relationship blossoming between them is lovely until you are reminded of the fiancée again and the fact that he is wilfully keeping it from Lily. Which doesn’t make a lot of sense, he’s helping a friend out so I can’t understand why he’s lying about it.

The lie eventually comes back to bite him as they always do. Rather than a simple conversation, Lily overhears about the engagement at the same time she is given bad news about her father resulting in her running again.

Ding! Ding! Ding! I was on the money about Gavin what an utter 🔔🔚. I’m glad she stuck to her guns and told him to get lost.

As expected everything is resolved quickly and all works out well for the couple. With a wedding taking place off page before the epilogue.

Overall I got the light and easy read I was after. It wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read but it also wasn’t the worst. Perfect for when you need something low angst that isn’t too fluffy.

#Hea #pregnancyinepilogue #lowangst

F(r)anny G.

liv_thomas2205's review

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3.0

3.5 stars. My final offer, take it or leave it. Now I won’t spoil it, but this falls into the mid category.

The plot - umm so it’s an enemies to lovers, forced proximity, forbidden romance, grumpy X sunshine romance book. It’s great with all the tropes, got a hella smart heroine and a grumpy broody hero. All the amkings of a great book complete with a HEA (in a series of interconnected standalones, of course). It’s got smut, 1/5 on the spice scale honestly nothing to write home about. It had the premise to be a great book! Okay but we can’t ignore the mildly incestuous/creepy as all hell friend/relationship between the MMC and his friend Jess, all would be well. BUT WHAT THE FUCK?? Secret looks and jibes? Intimate moments between lovers that are actually friends? Fuck aaaaaall the way off with that shit. The whole vibes of this book felt off. From start to finish.

The MC - Lily couldn’t have been a bigger dickhead if she tried. I mean HONESTLY. Going on about trust issues that just flat out didn’t exist, insecurities she bad one minute and then didn’t the next?? Fully disliked her and had she been hit by a car, I probably wouldn’t have mourned her death too much.

The male counterpart - Jaxon wasn’t much better? What is it with men saying “oh, this SUPER important thing that I’ve been keeping from my lady that I’ve just said can’t wait, can definitely wait another minute/hour/day/week.” ?!?!?! Dumbasses. The lot of them. Fuck off with your issues too you creepy fuck.

brinastewart's review

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This just might be my favorite of this series. Not only is it a loosely based retelling of Beauty and the Beast but there is reference to Mr. Darcy, Pemberley, and Pride & Prejudice!!!!!

I did feel the spice level was a little low. However, I enjoyed the story as well as the characters: Lily, Jaxon, Paul and the bestest Ms. Ketill. I wish the story went passed where it ended and closer to the timeline of the Epilogue but that is the case with most books that I enjoy.