A review by intostarlight
The Beast of Beswick by Amalie Howard

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I love scarred heroes and beauty and the beast retellings but I have mixed feelings about this book. I really am a sucker for beauty and the beast retellings, and Thane is definitely beastly (to the point that it was almost overwhelming at times). However, the book felt entirely too modern to me to feel authentic in its setting. There were several phrases that were definitely not appropriate for the time period, and the forms of address were all over the place. And though I liked the character of Astrid, she didn't feel "right" for this time period (neither did Mabel). Also, the development of Astrid's and Thane's relationship from hate-lust to head-over-heels madly in love was a bit abrupt, and the forces pulling them apart were more redundant than I had hoped. The steam was slightly off? There was a lot of scenes for the picking but they were relatively glossed over at the oddest times or rushed-feeling. The sister was an outright pain in the behind, but the final chapters were so wholesome!
Ultimately though I did enjoy this.