cheri_champagne's review against another edition
2.0
1.5* I feel really disappointed with this book. It started out promising, but it became overdone and a bit ridiculous very fast. I was pleased when I thought that this was going to be a "beauty and the beast" story, where David comes to love the "beast", and Alun begins to accept himself and forgive the past, all while David made little changes to the office that drove Alun to distraction. A little adventure would have been fine, but I really enjoyed their office setting. Sadly, that only lasted for the first 20-25% of the novel, and then everything went downhill pretty quickly.
Having a shocking self-discovery is all well and good, but there were SO MANY revelations in this book that their impact became muted and a bit irritating.
Not only did the plot begin to irk me, but there was a serious lack of scene-setting, world-building, and description in this book. It was all very lacklustre.
I didn't believe the romance, at all. There wasn't enough *oomph* in their emotions (or lack thereof), and certainly not enough discussion between the heroes to get a feel for their relationship. It was all very internalized and sarcastic.
That, brings me to my next point. The humour didn't hit home for me. I found it all very immature, as though the heroes were in their teens arguing with a sibling or their parents, rather than fully grown adults forming a loving, if not passionate, relationship. *That*, as well, was very muted, the sex/steam was very nearly nonexistent in this book.
The narration, however, was spectacular. Joel Leslie is my favourite narrator, and he didn't disappoint, slipping seamlessly between accents.
Having a shocking self-discovery is all well and good, but there were SO MANY revelations in this book that their impact became muted and a bit irritating.
Not only did the plot begin to irk me, but there was a serious lack of scene-setting, world-building, and description in this book. It was all very lacklustre.
I didn't believe the romance, at all. There wasn't enough *oomph* in their emotions (or lack thereof), and certainly not enough discussion between the heroes to get a feel for their relationship. It was all very internalized and sarcastic.
That, brings me to my next point. The humour didn't hit home for me. I found it all very immature, as though the heroes were in their teens arguing with a sibling or their parents, rather than fully grown adults forming a loving, if not passionate, relationship. *That*, as well, was very muted, the sex/steam was very nearly nonexistent in this book.
The narration, however, was spectacular. Joel Leslie is my favourite narrator, and he didn't disappoint, slipping seamlessly between accents.
nasaje's review against another edition
4.0
I was not expecting a full-blown supernatural world when I read the blurb for what I thought would be a Beauty and the Beast story, but that's what I got. I even laughed out loud on several occasions. The other world was a tiny bit hard to fully understand, but it was well worked through.
jrv45's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
b_nour's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
alexleo13's review against another edition
4.0
The world description is well done and the connection of the characters to the Outer World and the Faerie Realm worked well so that you have the feeling that the Sidhe and other supe could actually live among us and be our strange neighbors. This story might at some points remind you of the famous Beauty and the Beast, but it is so full of other members of the supernatural realm, with druids, vampires, shifters added to the bunch, that the original story line becomes just a faded memory allowing this book to have its own independent place in the library of fantasy works.
The heat level between the two men is pretty low, the feelings between Aulun and David sometimes seem to be dictated more by stubbornness rather than actual love, but David proves to be a worthy partner of the Sidhe warrior and does not recoil in front of the physical aspect and sometime dictatorial character of the other man. Aulun learns that sometimes you have to go a different path, leave traditions and old ways behind in order to find the solution to apparently unsolvable problems.
An overall enjoyable read.
The heat level between the two men is pretty low, the feelings between Aulun and David sometimes seem to be dictated more by stubbornness rather than actual love, but David proves to be a worthy partner of the Sidhe warrior and does not recoil in front of the physical aspect and sometime dictatorial character of the other man. Aulun learns that sometimes you have to go a different path, leave traditions and old ways behind in order to find the solution to apparently unsolvable problems.
An overall enjoyable read.
rainbow_grace's review against another edition
4.0
David is so cute. I saw the big surprise coming a mile away but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute.
katmoreid's review against another edition
5.0
David is utterly lovable. He's sweet and kind and what's more, he is driven to help and heal the hurt in others. His help may make things worse sometimes but his heart is in a good place. I love him! What a difference a change in perspective can make!
Alun is a whole different creature, literally. He's drowning in guilt and miserable. He seems content to stay that way until David bursts into his life and blinds him with his sunny light.
I loved this book. I love when a grumpy character falls for a sunny, happy character! I can't wait to read Mal's book.
Alun is a whole different creature, literally. He's drowning in guilt and miserable. He seems content to stay that way until David bursts into his life and blinds him with his sunny light.
I loved this book. I love when a grumpy character falls for a sunny, happy character! I can't wait to read Mal's book.
lydsansthekidd's review against another edition
3.0
I got this ebook for free. I can't exactly remember the circumstances, but it seems fair to write a review.
A lot of things about this book's concept appealed to me. Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite tales, I like the concept of fae creatures even though I don't know as much about them as I'd like, and we could all use more LGBT+ representation in our romances.
For the most part, this book delivers what it promises. I kinda wish there was more slow burn in this story. As much as I liked all of the fae elements, I feel like I lost some of that budding romance in order to fit them in. David and Alun are pretty much immediately attracted to each other, and I would say they reach their peak pretty quickly. David seemed to instantly see past the beast to the beauty underneath. All and all though, it was still a pretty cute story.
My biggest thing against this story is how it focused on certain phrases SO much. I never want to see the phrase "oak and thorn" or "trice-damned" ever again. Thankfully, I don't think I'll have to. Also, all of the weird and sometimes too long nicknames for Alun got annoying after awhile. I feel like two or three variations would have done the job.
Another small pick is that a lot of the description in this book, specifically when it comes to people, rely on already existing media or referencing real people. At first, I really liked it. It made things quick, to the point, and gave you exactly the right picture in your head. Then I saw it again and again and again. A few are great because of that first reaction, but five, six, ten... It's a little... off putting. Obviously, it puts the book in a certain time and place, but it wouldn't take much for some of the references to loose a reader.
The world building was interesting enough that I pretty much saw past the few things that I didn't like. The relation of the different supernatural factions were cool. Also, David's interactions with Benjy were so pure. Protect my dragon son at all costs!
Oh, while my brain is thinking of the other shifters that you meet though... the several attempts at raping David were also really dicey. It's definitely something that could make someone uncomfortable.
I feel like I've only said bad things, but like, I don't regret reading this book. I just feel like it's fair to warn people. The different Welsh and Celtic elements are super interesting. Some of the foreign words I had to infer the meaning, but it was just another thing to build the world and draw you in. I could safely say that I liked this enough to give it 3/5 stars.
A lot of things about this book's concept appealed to me. Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite tales, I like the concept of fae creatures even though I don't know as much about them as I'd like, and we could all use more LGBT+ representation in our romances.
For the most part, this book delivers what it promises. I kinda wish there was more slow burn in this story. As much as I liked all of the fae elements, I feel like I lost some of that budding romance in order to fit them in. David and Alun are pretty much immediately attracted to each other, and I would say they reach their peak pretty quickly. David seemed to instantly see past the beast to the beauty underneath. All and all though, it was still a pretty cute story.
My biggest thing against this story is how it focused on certain phrases SO much. I never want to see the phrase "oak and thorn" or "trice-damned" ever again. Thankfully, I don't think I'll have to. Also, all of the weird and sometimes too long nicknames for Alun got annoying after awhile. I feel like two or three variations would have done the job.
Another small pick is that a lot of the description in this book, specifically when it comes to people, rely on already existing media or referencing real people. At first, I really liked it. It made things quick, to the point, and gave you exactly the right picture in your head. Then I saw it again and again and again. A few are great because of that first reaction, but five, six, ten... It's a little... off putting. Obviously, it puts the book in a certain time and place, but it wouldn't take much for some of the references to loose a reader.
The world building was interesting enough that I pretty much saw past the few things that I didn't like. The relation of the different supernatural factions were cool. Also, David's interactions with Benjy were so pure. Protect my dragon son at all costs!
Oh, while my brain is thinking of the other shifters that you meet though... the several attempts at raping David were also really dicey. It's definitely something that could make someone uncomfortable.
I feel like I've only said bad things, but like, I don't regret reading this book. I just feel like it's fair to warn people. The different Welsh and Celtic elements are super interesting. Some of the foreign words I had to infer the meaning, but it was just another thing to build the world and draw you in. I could safely say that I liked this enough to give it 3/5 stars.
lilybear's review against another edition
3.0
Not bad. But half way through it stopped being a beauty and the beast romance and became this boring fairy kidnapping thing. I legit forgot about this book for a while. Cute ending though.
loulou87's review against another edition
*****Spoiler Free Review*****
*****Highly Recommended Fae****
OMG YOU HAVE TO READ/LISTEN TO THIS CUTE AF book!
This book certainly lives to to its title!
Audiobook narrated by Joel Leslie Froomkin
What I loved!
- Cute, nerdy assistant, David, who is determined to bring color to his employers dull gray life... #BrightenUpYourLife
- Grumpy, stoic psychologist, Alun, is an cursed and exiled Faerie who lives in the mortal realm to atone his sins... #BeastMode
- Funny dialogue, sweet courting and suspenseful events.. #AllInOne
- Secrets, Forgiveness and Love... #AllIsNotWhatItSeems
- UST and Hot sexy times #LetMeHaveYou
- Low Angst with awesome side characters... #Fluffy
- Happy ending!!! #NoMatterWhat
- The audiobook is pure magic and Mr. Joel delivers an #EarCandy performance with ALL THE ACCENTS!
#HappyReading
*****Highly Recommended Fae****
OMG YOU HAVE TO READ/LISTEN TO THIS CUTE AF book!
This book certainly lives to to its title!
Audiobook narrated by Joel Leslie Froomkin
What I loved!
- Cute, nerdy assistant, David, who is determined to bring color to his employers dull gray life... #BrightenUpYourLife
- Grumpy, stoic psychologist, Alun, is an cursed and exiled Faerie who lives in the mortal realm to atone his sins... #BeastMode
- Funny dialogue, sweet courting and suspenseful events.. #AllInOne
- Secrets, Forgiveness and Love... #AllIsNotWhatItSeems
- UST and Hot sexy times #LetMeHaveYou
- Low Angst with awesome side characters... #Fluffy
- Happy ending!!! #NoMatterWhat
- The audiobook is pure magic and Mr. Joel delivers an #EarCandy performance with ALL THE ACCENTS!
#HappyReading