Series: Fairy Tales, #2
Traits & Tropes: beauty & the beast retelling; grumpy hero; marriage of convenience
Publication Date: 01.25.11
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; London England/Wales;
Heat Level: 2.5
Rating: 4/5
Narration Rating: 5/5
Miss Linnet Thrynne is the quintessential beautiful heiress, but her ruined reputation means she needs a husband, fast, and she doesn’t really have time to be choosy. Her irreparable circumstances lead her to become betrothed to Piers Yelverton, Earl of Marchant, a man whispered about in society circles as the Beast.
A highly skilled doctor, Piers practices his craft in an isolated Welsh castle where his fits of temper keep most everyone at a safe distance. He’s not at all interested in the woman his father has brought to the castle as his fiancée, but Linnet isn’t quite like most debutantes. Having charmed a prince, Linnet is sure she can make Piers fall for her within a couple of weeks, but she’s wholly unprepared when she begins to fall for him, even knowing her feelings may never be reciprocated. She may decide to throw caution to the wind anyway, but the resulting damage could be to more than just her reputation.
To be perfectly honest, I really wasn’t too sure about this book for much of the time I was listening to it. Susan Duerden’s narration definitely helped pull me into the story and I’m not sure if I would’ve enjoyed it as much had I just read it. At first, Linnet seemed incredibly vain, and don’t get me wrong, she is and that doesn’t really change, but she did grow likable despite her awareness of and focus on her own beauty. Piers’ surliness may have been off-putting at first, but I really do like the tortured, growly heroes and he was certainly that. I actually think Sebastian, Piers’ cousin might have been my favorite character here, especially when he talked some sense into Piers and helped him realize and admit his true feelings. I liked that Linnet wasn’t afraid to stand up to Piers and make him think about things differently.
This book was absolutely bananas and fun, despite dealing with some dark topics (addiction for one) and I enjoyed that. I wasn’t that thrilled with the scarlet fever outbreak that threatened the HEA for this couple, but Piers’ handling of it and his care of Linnet was the making of him as a hero. Conversely, Linnet’s behavior afterwards just reinforced her vanity and made her frustrating for me all over again, but her expert handling of Piers’ outbursts was enough to save it for me. Otherwise, I did enjoy these two spending time together and coming to know one another, despite all their protestations that they’d never have a lasting relationship, and the side characters were some of my favorites. All in all, I thought this one a fun read, not to be taken too seriously, and it will stay on my keeper shelf.
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/701089716
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1967596456
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