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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
It was an ok book to pass the time, but not my cup of tea. There was an awful lot of build up about all the reasons they couldn't be together ...and then ..too easy. I actually put it down a few pages before the end because I just didn't care.
I will not be reading the rest of this series, too vanilla for me.
*and one more thing... the word Beast is pretty misleading, I thought it would be in the context of BatB, but it was not.
But by no means a 'bad' read.
I will not be reading the rest of this series, too vanilla for me.
*and one more thing... the word Beast is pretty misleading, I thought it would be in the context of BatB, but it was not.
But by no means a 'bad' read.
A well designed, straightforward fun romance novel.
Loved this introduction to a wonderful new paranormal fantasy series filled with romance, intrigue, wondrous beasts and delightful characters. I found the prologue provided just enough information to set the hook that led me into the story. My guess is that the five sisters of the heart mentioned in chapter one will each get a book of their own and I look forward to reading each and every one of their stories.
In book one Luciana learns she is not an orphan after all and has the opportunity to save her father’s life IF she is willing to return with him to his castle and marry Leo, The Beast of Benwick. With her skills of communing with ghosts, the need to keep her identity secret and an upcoming marriage to a man who can kill with a touch she is not sure what will happen but is willing to do what she can to save her father and his people. With assassins out to get her, ghosts telling her secrets and her growing attraction to Leo her life is never dull. Leo is equally attracted to his bride to be BUT worries that he won’t ever be able to touch her let alone consummate their marriage.
This is a fun adult romance that has everything I like in a book. I was taken back to fairytales of childhood but with a more grownup story to read. I smiled at interactions, worried about characters, hoped that the hero and heroine would manage a HEA and am now eager to find out what will happen in future books of this series because this one was so very very entertaining.
I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. This is my honest review.
In book one Luciana learns she is not an orphan after all and has the opportunity to save her father’s life IF she is willing to return with him to his castle and marry Leo, The Beast of Benwick. With her skills of communing with ghosts, the need to keep her identity secret and an upcoming marriage to a man who can kill with a touch she is not sure what will happen but is willing to do what she can to save her father and his people. With assassins out to get her, ghosts telling her secrets and her growing attraction to Leo her life is never dull. Leo is equally attracted to his bride to be BUT worries that he won’t ever be able to touch her let alone consummate their marriage.
This is a fun adult romance that has everything I like in a book. I was taken back to fairytales of childhood but with a more grownup story to read. I smiled at interactions, worried about characters, hoped that the hero and heroine would manage a HEA and am now eager to find out what will happen in future books of this series because this one was so very very entertaining.
I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. This is my honest review.
AMAZING NEW SERIES!! cannot wait for the next one..
I am a big fan of paranormal romance. This book had it all! Great new leading characters, romance and HEA.
What else can a girl ask for?!
Im only sorry I read this so soon. Now I have to wait a long time for the next one.
Only one solution... Re-read..!!
I am a big fan of paranormal romance. This book had it all! Great new leading characters, romance and HEA.
What else can a girl ask for?!
Im only sorry I read this so soon. Now I have to wait a long time for the next one.
Only one solution... Re-read..!!
slow-paced
This is the first straight book I have read since July of this year. It is December now.
Reading this book reminded me why I don't find fulfillment in straight books. The guy wants to pokes and prods into the girl's life, uses people to spy into her life, wants. to know all of her secrets, snoops to find her secrets while keeping his own secrets from her. Added to that, since her life is in danger, the guy assigns himself her protector. He decides her every move, e.g her to stay locked in her rooms with durads posted outside her door, she should not venture outside the castle, she should not leave the room without her guards, etc.
Leo is not a bad person, though. He becomes less annoying as the book progresses. He actually becomes really great. From the beginning, he accepted her as who she is and did not try to change her. He is pretty great. I love that, in the end, he tells her she is his equal and proves it. The last chapter and Epilogue are amazing!
Luciana aka Anais super kind, courageous, beautiful, clever, helpful, loyal, empathic, and super amazing. Leo is worthy of her.
I did not like that the book has loose ends and some stuff made no sense.
I thought Leo touching someone bare skin could kill them. His power is such that if he touches them through layers of fabric, they can become unconscious. How come him directly touching and shooting lightning at the Chameleon's leg did not kill the Chameleon?
Reading this book reminded me why I don't find fulfillment in straight books. The guy wants to pokes and prods into the girl's life, uses people to spy into her life, wants. to know all of her secrets, snoops to find her secrets while keeping his own secrets from her. Added to that, since her life is in danger, the guy assigns himself her protector. He decides her every move, e.g her to stay locked in her rooms with durads posted outside her door, she should not venture outside the castle, she should not leave the room without her guards, etc.
Leo is not a bad person, though. He becomes less annoying as the book progresses. He actually becomes really great. From the beginning, he accepted her as who she is and did not try to change her. He is pretty great. I love that, in the end, he tells her she is his equal and proves it. The last chapter and Epilogue are amazing!
Luciana aka Anais super kind, courageous, beautiful, clever, helpful, loyal, empathic, and super amazing. Leo is worthy of her.
I did not like that the book has loose ends and some stuff made no sense.
Spoiler
Who killed "Booger?" Leo suspects the Duke, but it is never confirmed.I thought Leo touching someone bare skin could kill them. His power is such that if he touches them through layers of fabric, they can become unconscious. How come him directly touching and shooting lightning at the Chameleon's leg did not kill the Chameleon?
A light-hearted bit of paranormal romance fluff. There was a bit of religious weirdness toward the end, and the love scenes were a bit cringe-worthy at times, but I found it diverting. And at least there was no artificial barrier or misunderstanding keeping the hero and heroine apart. On to book two.
medium-paced
I'm on the fence on giving this book a rating of 2 or 3 stars. I will give it a 3 star for the humor only in the book. I donated this book to a Little Free Library on 3-25-2025
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
"I should warn you. Women who have been raised on the Isle of Moon are strong and independent. We consider ourselves equal to men in every way."
His brows lifted. "Does that mean you're planning to boss me around?" --Luciana & Leo
Hmm..... 3.75 stars..
This book has me so conflicted. On one I hand, it was really very different from any other historical I've read, in that it incorporated fantasy and paranormal aspects as well. I actually enjoyed these 'otherworldly' aspects a lot and thought they added nice dimensions to the story with the ghosts, dragons, shifters, and magic. I also really enjoyed the slow-burning romance between Luciana and Leo. Although they were physically attracted to each other at first, there were so many obstacles that stood between them and true happiness in their marriage that they had to work through and overcome together. It's always nice when we get to see our MCs go from working on their own to working as a unit to achieve something they both desire.
However. On the direct opposite hand, their slow-burning romance was also one thing that I DETESTED about this novel. I get that Leo was hesitant to get involved in a "real" marriage to Luciana because of his powers and what he believes will happen to her because of his past. And I know that Luciana has her own reservations about her upcoming nuptials to Leo because of her misleading identity and the threat to her and her father's life. BUT they didn't even kiss till 80% in!!! 80% people!! And yes the angst was deliciously distracting and their push-and-pull interactions were great, but after a while the romance-loving bug in me grew impatient and unfocused.
There were also minor things that I thought a little too convenient. Like how Leo (WHO ISN'T ABLE TO TOUCH ANYONE BECAUSE OF HIS POWERS) somehow still managed to be involved in a physical relationship with some woman who "showed him the ropes and how to be a man who takes charge in the bedroom". Yeah, okay cuz that sounds plausible. I think it would have been sweeter if they would have both discovered the wonderful world of sex together, seeing as how she lived her entire life secluded on an island and he is incapable of human touch. But whatever, I guess it's more important for him to know HOW TO PLEASE WOMEN IMMEDIATELY.
Another thing I disliked: when Leo and Luciana had sex for the first time, Leo turned into an alpha-hole. Again I get it, he hasn't touched anyone since he had sex with THAT WOMAN [ughhh] and he's desperate for human interaction but [in my opinion] he seemed an inconsiderate and overbearing jackass. It's not all about him--it was her first time too!!! Which btw he was quick to point out and BE THANKFUL FOR.
Other than that though, I found him very charming and attentive and loving towards Luciana, which I admire. Luciana was a tad annoying and headstrong at times, but she was also determined and loyal. Overall, I would recommend this one, but just know that's it's not a perfect read. And I don't think I'll be continuing on in this series.
My Leo, the Beast of Benwick...
