inkerly's review
4.0
A beautiful steamy spin on a classic tale!
4.5 stars. I picked up this book on a whim and thankfully my first Goodreads-recommended steamy romance book was a smokin’ one! I loved everything about this book - the characters, the story everything - and it was such an easy sweet read. Couldn’t stop cheesing at the end. Do I think more of the storylines could’ve been delved into more (there are mentions of bulimia, m*lestation of friend, and racism/homophobia) - Yes. This book is very light! But I think the book serves its purpose to show a tale between Beauty and Beast and it wraps up its main plot points nicely. I will definitely be reading more of Pace’s works.
4.5 stars. I picked up this book on a whim and thankfully my first Goodreads-recommended steamy romance book was a smokin’ one! I loved everything about this book - the characters, the story everything - and it was such an easy sweet read. Couldn’t stop cheesing at the end. Do I think more of the storylines could’ve been delved into more (there are mentions of bulimia, m*lestation of friend, and racism/homophobia) - Yes. This book is very light! But I think the book serves its purpose to show a tale between Beauty and Beast and it wraps up its main plot points nicely. I will definitely be reading more of Pace’s works.
malicepoyo's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bukworm7's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
renbooks's review
4.0
3.5
I liked the characters and the story for the most part, but this book really needed a proofreader and editor. I got the ebook from the library and there were so many typos (more than ten). Also, grammatical mistakes and using the wrong word (using "regulated" when the proper word was "relegated", using "chez" when the proper word was "chaise", etc). The other thing is I can't stand romance novels where the characters are together only a short time and all of a sudden the woman is unexpectedly pregnant. And even though they've been together only a few months, the 25 year old male protagonist is over the moon about their unplanned pregnancy. It's a stupid cliche and that's not how real life works.
Also, I knocked off a half a star for the scene with the contact lens. What kind of person puts a stranger's (or someone they know.... Really) contact lens into their mouth then puts it back into the person's eye? Wtf!!! That is so abnormal and bizarre and the author includes this scene like it's intimate or romantic? Again, wtf.
That being said, there were some actually very touching scenes. Especially relating to the main male character's facial deformities. I had a friend growing up who had a severe cleft palate and ended up getting a life changing surgery to repair it. The scenes where he talks about how it affects his life really hit close to home and brought out such tender emotions. I would definitely read more by this author, but hope she finds a good proofreader. I like that there was some depth to the characters and she covered some more sensitive topics like eating disorders and family dynamics surrounding interracial romance.
I liked the characters and the story for the most part, but this book really needed a proofreader and editor. I got the ebook from the library and there were so many typos (more than ten). Also, grammatical mistakes and using the wrong word (using "regulated" when the proper word was "relegated", using "chez" when the proper word was "chaise", etc). The other thing is I can't stand romance novels where the characters are together only a short time and all of a sudden the woman is unexpectedly pregnant. And even though they've been together only a few months, the 25 year old male protagonist is over the moon about their unplanned pregnancy. It's a stupid cliche and that's not how real life works.
Also, I knocked off a half a star for the scene with the contact lens. What kind of person puts a stranger's (or someone they know.... Really) contact lens into their mouth then puts it back into the person's eye? Wtf!!! That is so abnormal and bizarre and the author includes this scene like it's intimate or romantic? Again, wtf.
That being said, there were some actually very touching scenes. Especially relating to the main male character's facial deformities. I had a friend growing up who had a severe cleft palate and ended up getting a life changing surgery to repair it. The scenes where he talks about how it affects his life really hit close to home and brought out such tender emotions. I would definitely read more by this author, but hope she finds a good proofreader. I like that there was some depth to the characters and she covered some more sensitive topics like eating disorders and family dynamics surrounding interracial romance.
kwaders's review against another edition
1.0
I really wanted to like this story, but there were a few things that prevented that. The first and foremost was the lack of copy editing. I realize that most people don't care about grammar, but there were so many mistakes, I was taken right out of the story. The constant switching of POV made my head spin. Lastly, I wanted a bit more tension between the main characters before they got together.
reading_rainy's review against another edition
3.0
**2.5 stars**
I read so many glowing reviews of this book, that I was excited to get started. While it was a sweet story, the execution was VERY awkward. The writing felt clumsy, and the intimate scenes were written like a anatomy textbook. (It could be that I'm just used to slang rather than the correct names for body parts.)
The two MC's were incredibly sweet, and I loved their relationship. There was depth to each of them that felt real and unreserved. My biggest dislike was that it had ALL the issues. It felt like whiplash as yet another topic was tossed into the story.
-Weight insecurities
-Childhood obesity/shaming
-Cheating (Not the MC relationship)
-Diabetes
-Racism
-Gay rights/discrimination
-Facial disfigurement
-Homeland security
-Both MC's had low self-esteem
-Unexpected pregnancy
-Interracial dating
-Eating disorder/binging/purging
-Depression
-Money disparity
-Dementia
-HIV
-Family trauma
The end really bothered me
This book reminded me a bit of [b:Bone Deep|3178892|Bone Deep|Bonnie Dee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327872186l/3178892._SY75_.jpg|3211550] or [b:Broken|32854489|Broken|Elizabeth Kelly|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1478034340l/32854489._SY75_.jpg|53456521] so if you liked those, you might enjoy this one.
I read so many glowing reviews of this book, that I was excited to get started. While it was a sweet story, the execution was VERY awkward. The writing felt clumsy, and the intimate scenes were written like a anatomy textbook. (It could be that I'm just used to slang rather than the correct names for body parts.)
The two MC's were incredibly sweet, and I loved their relationship. There was depth to each of them that felt real and unreserved. My biggest dislike was that it had ALL the issues. It felt like whiplash as yet another topic was tossed into the story.
-Weight insecurities
-Childhood obesity/shaming
-Cheating (Not the MC relationship)
-Diabetes
-Racism
-Gay rights/discrimination
-Facial disfigurement
-Homeland security
-Both MC's had low self-esteem
-Unexpected pregnancy
-Interracial dating
-Eating disorder/binging/purging
-Depression
-Money disparity
-Dementia
-HIV
-Family trauma
The end really bothered me
Spoiler
He has facial reconstruction that takes over two months and he comes out looking like a movie star and ALL the women want him.This book reminded me a bit of [b:Bone Deep|3178892|Bone Deep|Bonnie Dee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327872186l/3178892._SY75_.jpg|3211550] or [b:Broken|32854489|Broken|Elizabeth Kelly|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1478034340l/32854489._SY75_.jpg|53456521] so if you liked those, you might enjoy this one.
tam_bam26's review against another edition
4.0
Beauty and the Beast Retelling
I love a good retelling, this one is even better because it isn't an "exact" retelling. It just follows the concept, if that makes sense. Ashleigh's boyfriend got married on her, which damages her already low self-esteem. She feels like she is the "fat friend with the pretty face." Christopher (Beast) has cranial damage and some cleft issues. This wonderful and emotional tale is about the discovery of inner beauty.
I love a good retelling, this one is even better because it isn't an "exact" retelling. It just follows the concept, if that makes sense. Ashleigh's boyfriend got married on her, which damages her already low self-esteem. She feels like she is the "fat friend with the pretty face." Christopher (Beast) has cranial damage and some cleft issues. This wonderful and emotional tale is about the discovery of inner beauty.