By Karen Witemeyer
Publication date: June 10, 2025
Description from the Publisher:
Beauty & the Beast in 1800's Texas.
Once known among New York's elite as the American Adonis, Everett Griffin now lives as a recluse in the wilds of Texas. The treachery of a former admirer left his face and his spirit riddled with scars, so he hides himself away, his only companions a trio of trusted servants and an oversized dog. Locals whisper of the beastly man who lives in the gloomy manor outside of town and his tendency to attack anyone who dares approach. Everett relishes his fearsome reputation and uses it as a shield to guard his privacy. Until a young woman as stubborn as she is beautiful infiltrates his sanctum and lays siege to his defenses.
When an injury to her father jeopardizes the family's book binding business, Callista Rosenfeld determines to fulfill the contract herself, and no insufferable client or woman-eating dog will deter her. Finding unlikely allies among Mr. Griffin's staff, Callista secures her position and sets to work transforming the manor's remarkable library. Her employer transforms as well, his ill-tempered growls subsiding to reveal a considerate, intellectual nature. Affection blooms as Callista and Everett discover hidden depths in each other, but the evil schemes of a vengeful hunter threaten to leave their love and their lives in tatters.
My Review:
I love fairy tale retellings, but with so many out there, sometimes they get repetitive--so I was very pleased to find so many unique elements in this one! While there were definite nods to the beloved Disney version (I love the staff's names, for example!), there were so many things that really made this story stand out--such as how Everett became a "beast," why Callista encounters Everett, and what the villain's motivations were. I was hooked from the start and thoroughly enjoyed every page of this book. I especially appreciated seeing into Everett and Callista and what made each of them act as they did.
5 stars!
I read an ARC provided by the author. All opinions are my own.
