I absolutely tortured heros and Nero was definitely one! He really was a Beast...I really loved this tale of Beauty and The Beast. Couldn't put my kindle down!

Entertaining, just not into some of the scenarios in this one; certain scenes definitely weren’t needed and added nothing to the story except to annoy. I like the Beauty and the Beast aspect, but Nero needed some more sweet with that domineering attitude. I liked the whole boss/employee scenario too; a bit of the forbidden is fun, and the passion between Nero and Phoebe is scorching. There’s a bit of kink to the romance in this read. I do enjoy reading about an alpha falling to his knees for his love, but I needed more of that in this story. I liked that Phoebe stands up for herself; not always, but she’s good for Nero. Nero is dealing with a difficult past, so that definitely makes him cantankerous; he’s lucky that Phoebe knows how to put up with his attitude. I’m not huge on the whole fiancé in a coma thing; it puts Phoebe in a bad light, but I suppose it’s difficult to break up with someone in a coma. Overall, I liked the read; the connection is there between Nero and Phoebe, and I appreciate that this is a full story.

This is my least favorite of the series. I don't really enjoy books where the main characters have been subjected to some form of child abuse and Nero's past as a child locked in a room for years definitely fits in my not favorite category. Also, I did feel that Phoebe was cheating on her fiancee who was in a coma by sleeping with Nero while still technically engaged to him. Alas, it just didn't work for me, which is a shame because Jackie Ashenden is one of my favorite authors.

Received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

Probably more a 3.5, but I'm rounding up because the emotions at the end got to me. I was intrigued to read about Nero - the reclusive brother. Phoebe needs the salary he's offering to take care of her comatose fiance - and she's willing to put up with all of Nero's demands to get it. But there's something there. As controlling as he is, she starts to see that there might be more to him than meets the eye.

I had a few issues - he was a little over controlling, the cheating aspect of it, etc. When she finally broke down his walls, I was wondering if it was even worth working for - but that ending was surprisingly touching. A fun take on Beauty and the Beast.

Meh. This book was alright, but it wasn't anything special for me. The characters fell flat and the chemistry wasn't on par. Two stars...

I love fairytale retellings and Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairytale so the Billionaire Beast was a book I was especially looking forward to reading. Nero's reputation as a fearful Beast is known far and wide, but Phoebe is desperate for the money being his assistant will provide. Her fiance's two year comma has brought with a mounting pile of hospital debt. When Nero meets Phoebe, he is instantly drawn to her. He is used to his assistants running off in tears, but he knows there is more to Phoebe than meets the eyes and he is desperate to bring out her fighting spirit.

I was pretty excited about it when I read the blurb but I found thre male protagonist to be a first rate jerk. I know its a Beauty and the Beast story but I could not get through this. I thought it was not very good and so I put it down.

Book 2 of the fairytale series is Beauty and the Beast.

Page 3 - “She wasn’t beautiful. F**k she wasn’t even pretty, which wasn’t ideal since he liked something nice to look at.” A paragraph later she has a curvy figure and maybe not so bad.

This series... I loooove an alpha-hole, but these have been too much and always this kind of thing within the first few pages. It’s not alpha, it’s degrading. I’ve tried to read all of them to give it a chance, but it’s too much.

No means no. Not I’ll talk you into it or I could tell you really wanted me. Not I paid your comatose fiancées hospital bills so now I can have you.

I’ve read 1, 3 & 4 so it’s disappointing to realize there isn’t a real de Santis brother coming together until a vague epilogue in book 4. Nero and Lorenzo at the most have a cordial relationship.

Safety gang: at his request she gets him to escorts and although they’re naked in his bed and kissing he doesn’t go through with it. Also, her fiancée doesn’t die until the 2nd to last chapter.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.

Nero de Santos was as beastly as they come, his only humanity is his interest in computers and his taste for fine art. Not that he particularly cared about being human and it was overrated in his opinion. When Nero had a horrible childhood and had been abused. He had deep scars from his past. He hadn’t left his home in ten years. Nero was looking at his security feed of his front door and the woman standing there very corporate looking , very secretary. Which he expected as she was here for an job interview. In the last six months he’d gone through at least ten assistants and it was getting hard to find anyone who would actually work with him. He preferred to hire the best, but the best wouldn’t even imply. Phoebe Taylor was the woman at his door. There was something that intrigued Nero about her but she had a two year gap in her resume. Nero wanted what he wanted when he wanted it and if his assistants either couldn’t or wouldn’t do their jobs and assist him 24/7 , than he got rid of them. No second chances. Many only a week, barely a month. Hiring new people was getting old. Money tended to solve most problems in his experience, he could always up the salary he offered again. Being the illegitimate son of Cesare Santis, owner of D S Corporation- one of America’s biggest and richest defense and protection company wasn’t without perks. Nero headed the technology branch of the company. Phoebe needed a lot of money and fast to pay her fiance’s hospital bills as he had been in a coma for two years and she was paying the bills for his care. Phoebe had to stop herself from checking her phone as Charles- her fiance- had developed an infection which was worrying as the immune systems of coma patients weren’t robust. Becoming nero’s assistant would provide the money Phoebe needed. Nero’s office was designed to intimidate anyone in it. It might have gotten to Phoebe if she hadn’t spent the last two years if different hospital waiting rooms , dealing with officious and self important medical staff. Phoebe didn't like her punch-to- the- gut response to Nero. She rarely let people get under her skin, but she had a feeling if she wasn’t careful he could. She better be cautious for the rest of her time around Nero. As Phobe gets to know her boss and the damage from his past, she wants to help him. Nero demands two women and when they are at his home he only kisses one can’t physically respond to either of them and has them leave and goes to Phoebe.
I really couldn’t get into this book. Nero was just to mean and Phoebe wouldn’t stick up for herself. She would say no them give in why bother to say no? This also dragged for me at time . I just couldn’t finish this it wouldn’t hold my attention. So I am sure others will like this book it just wasn’t for me.

The Billionaire Beast is my very first book by Jackie Ashenden. I liked the way that the story was told and just the flow of the story and plot.

However, I didn’t like the characters at all and thatmadeit quite hard for me to get into and liking the story as whole. i felt that Nero didn’t have any redeeming qualities and he didn’t get any more likeable as the book went on. Pheboe’s personailty was really submissive and she as getting walked all over throughout the book. It didn’t make me want to read further than this book really.

This one was quick and easy, and I surprisingly enjoyed it. The characters were well written with a somewhat shocking amount of backstory to add to the story. This one can be read as a standalone. Reading the first one in the series isn't necessary. It was full of angst and frustration but a sweet and sappy ending.

ARC received for review

A little better than the first one, but this time the girl irritated me. She has a finance in a coma, yet gives in to the big bad bossy billionaire

This series continues to get better and better with every book I read. There is so much going on in the story that has me interest all the way through the story. The characters are so interesting and the chemistry between the main characters is off the charts. I love the adaption that the author does with popular fairy tales and able to make it into an enjoyable steamy read.

This was a fantastic take on Beauty and the Beast. I love the characters and the well roundedness of the storyline. The hot factor is off the scales too. I love Nero's dirty mouth and he's so dominant. Yummo. I even love how gentle and calm Phoebe was throughout. Overall nothing to complain about. I simply loved it.

*I voluntarily reviewed a Advance Reader copy of this title. All opinions are my own and honestly stated.

This was kind go a dud for me I don't hate it but, I didn't love it either if that makes sense. Nero well he took sometime to getting used to but, Phoebe I get it boyfriend is in coma she was sort of weak character. I get it Nero is the Beast but come on she should have stood her ground more with Nero. Overall the Beast was a mostly a jerk and Phoebe was a door mat. I'm sure some of you loved it but, it was just not the book for me. Since I am giving this three stars I will not be posting it on any social media sites.

A sexy, sultry story that blew me away. "If that's what you need, I can give it to you." This story is passionate, full of trembling embraces, emotional prose and more. I need more. I want more. In fact, I've re-read this book twice already. It's a book that makes you feel, in all the ways a good romance should.

Beast does describe Nero quite well. Nero is a kinky type of Howard Hughes, except the reason for Nero's isolation is horrific. I fell for Nero as his traumatic past is revealed. He is definitely a boy with mommy issues and seriously needs some social skill courses. Still, leniency for his behaviour is understandable as each abusive incident in his past comes to light.

From a character building perspective, I really liked this story. Nero is this anti-hero who is ruthless and does whatever he wants because he can. He is a prickly jerk because he has not come out of his victim mentality. He does things which demonstrates he still isn't over the lack of control he had as a child. In addition, he has not reconciled what his mother did to him. He thinks he is a survivor but until he meets Phoebe, no one has put him in his place to really look at his own behaviours. Basically his power trips are a reaction to whenever he feels threatened or flashes back to his childhood in a PTSD manner.

Now Phoebe is a strong and admirable woman. She is loyal and dedicated. The way she takes Nero's outrageous orders and still remains professional is impressive. She is someone with a heart who clearly is good from inside to out. I really liked her and oddly, she's the perfect person for Nero. Their slow attraction made sense to me. Their sexual tension build up and Nero's violent frustrations were all written quite well. Their romance is definitely unconventional and a sore point for Phoebe. But in the end, it works. This story is like a modern day Beauty and the Beast tale. This erotic romance is recommended to those who like a misunderstood alpha male and a woman who can tame him.

I wish I could give this book more stars but it really wasn't for me. In my opinion, this book seemed a bit rushed; I wanted more history (and possibly a few flashbacks) on both of the main character's and more dialogue. Maybe this is the style of writing from this author (first time reading a Jackie Ashenden novel) but I really couldn't "delve" into this book like I do others. From reading the excerpt of this book, I thought for sure Nero (by the way, love the name) was going to be the brutish and rugged man of my fantasies but he ended up irritating me whenever he would "force" himself on Phoebe. I understand he has issues that needed to be addressed but his attitude and demeanor at times reminded me of a whiny child. Just because you're rich and use to having your way does not mean that everyone is going to bow down to your will; here enters Phoebe. I have to commend her because she has the patience of a saint. While others have quit and ran for their lives, she was determined to stick it out all for an unnecessary obligation.

Overall, not a bad read. The scene's between Nero and Phoeboe were sexy and steamy but I wanted more; maybe I'm just being greedy. I would recommend reading this book, because there are quite a few good parts that were entertaining. I wasn't disappointed from the reading, just left wanting more.

I have to start out by say that this story killed me, What Nero went through as a child....well lets just say that it's not surprising that he turned out the way he has. Phoebe....well at first I didn't really like her and I'm not sure why but then something happened and my feelings towards her softened.

This story is a twist on the classic Beauty and the Beast, Nero might be a beast in everyone's eyes but When it comes to Phoebe things are different. Yes he was a true beast when Phoebe first met him but things changed over time and he softened when she was around. I really enjoyed watching Nero become the man that he was truly meant to be.

I am really enjoying this series and I look forward to reading Lorenzo De Santis's story in The Billionaires Intern which is due out in August (2017).

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second of Ashenden's books that I review. The first being The Billionaire's Virgin. Please take the time to look at that review as well as I think it may help in how I review.

I am a true sucker for fairy tale retellings. Not just any fairy tale either; I have my favorites (e.g. Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid). So, I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to read and review The Billionaire Beast. There were some great parts, and some less than stellar parts.

​First, what I liked. I loved that this big, powerful beast of a man cannot seem to leave his home. I will leave the reason why out of this conversation, but know that it was definitely one of my favorite touches on this story. The juxtaposition of being so powerful, but not being able to walk a step outside of your home was just so tragic in my eyes. I also quite enjoyed having Phoebe as the female protagonist as she is strong, and willing to put up with a less than gentle boss.

Now, for what I didn't enjoy. I did not like that Phoebe had a fiancee, but I could have lived with that fact had it turned out a bit different. I felt that in order for Phoebe to enjoy Nero, the fiancee had to be portrayed a certain way to "make it okay". I really could have done without the whole "other man" business, to be honest.

This book won't be for everyone, but I recommend it to those curious about retellings, and who love billionaire bad boy stories.