Did not finish this book. Although I have enjoyed books from this writer in the past, I just did not enjoy this book from her.

While definitely not for everyone, this book truly captured my attention and interest. I really liked the twist on Beauty and the Beast that this book took, and I enjoyed every moment of it!

There are heroes that are irredeemable assholes. There is nothing that they can do to change your opinion on them and you have to understand that they are the way they are. Then there are heroes that are assholes by circumstance, but are able to redeem themselves by the end of the book. Thankfully Nero fell in the second category. Nero doesn't see past his own desires. When he sees something or someone he wants, he will stop at nothing until he wins, consequences be damned. It's not until Phoebe started to push back and break down his barriers that I truly fell for Nero. Through her, Nero begins to look at his home in a different way. What was once comforting is now restricting. Those walls that protected him are now suffocating him and that scares the shit out of him. I enjoyed his transformation from asshole to a man able to explore. The Billionaire Beast surprised me in a lot of ways. I love Jackie's writing and I knew that it would be a sexy book. What I wasn't expecting was the emotions that drive the romance between Phoebe and Nero. The attraction is raw and scary for both of them. The Billionaire Beast was a book that I loved as a whole. It pushes the boundaries and tests the reader with a hero that most may not like (especially at the beginning of the book), but at it's core, The Billionaire Beast is about two characters that are able to overcome their past and their limitations to find a love that offers them a better future.

I would like to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing us with a copy of this book so I could bring you this review.

Phoebe makes a decision that she needs to go work for a man who knows he is beast. Nero is a beast he is horrible to Phoebe, but when you find out why he is the way that he is you heart starts to hurt for him. He has to live his life trapped in his house because he doesn't know how else to live. There is a point in the book that I didn't really like Phoebe, but at the same time I could understand the way she was feeling.

I gave this book 4 trapping kisses...

Happy Reading... Adri

**My thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press, for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This is a whole new twist on the idea of beauty and the beast.

Nero seems like the ultimate nasty boss until we get to hear his backstory, which made me feel so sad for him, especially as you can see that he has not gotten over the way that he was brought up.

Phoebe is a very strong woman, who has a saviour complex as she seems to always want to help fix people. Her parents, her fiancé and now Nero. Phoebe however is the first person that has show any interest in getting to know the real Nero and understands very quickly that Nero does not seem to understand certain emotions and elects to very patiently teach him.

Nero makes brilliant steps into beating his agoraphobia by the end with Phoebe's help and you can't help but be impressed that he is making the changes in order that he can be with Phoebe.

Although I generally avoid retold fairy tales, I decided to make an exception for this one, primarily because I missed reading its predecessor novel and because I think so highly of Jackie Ashenden's novels. I'm more than glad I didn't pass this one by, because it most definitely earned a 5-star rating.

Yes, this story is based on Beauty and the Beast, but you'd be hard pressed to identify it as such without the word "beast" in the title, since, in the fairy tale, the Beast is actually a beast, and the beast in this novel is just a man, albeit a demanding, obnoxious, rude, impatient, deeply troubled, angry, emotionally scarred and tortured man, who is also a beast to work for, Nero de Santis. Sadly, he hasn't the first clue as to how to deal with his issues, or even admit that he has issues, at least until the day that Phoebe Taylor, a 28-year-old British woman, shows up for an interview as his next victim in a long chain of failed personal assistants, some of the previous ones lasting less than a day in his presence and all of them fleeing his home/office in tears.

Why would anyone choose to work for a man who demands their attention and availability 24/7, 365, including living in his huge home, the merger of all the buildings contained in a city block, turning them into a number of stories and a maze of staircases, rooms and long, empty corridors, except for the walls, every one of which is filled with landscapes in every medium. Phoebe certainly has a reason for toughing it out as Nero's personal assistant--she desperately needs the six-figure salary that accompanies the job. Her fiance, Charles, was in a car accident two years earlier and has been been in a coma ever since, and the money that he and Phoebe were saving for the house they planned on buying has gone toward paying his astronomical hospital bills. She's broke, and she doesn't want to downgrade Charles' care by moving him to a lesser facility.

Prior to arriving at his home/office, Phoebe has attempted to do a little research on the reclusive billionaire, but there isn't much information available about him. There are rumors, though. Some say he hasn't left his house or been seen in public in a decade--his specialty is IT, and he can work from home. He's not quite sure what to make of quiet, sedate little Phoebe. It seems that the very behaviors that have caused previous assistant after assistant to flee his home don't seem to ruffle Phoebe's feathers, and although at first she doesn't understand why Nero expects instant gratification in all things, she slowly begins to realize the depth of his issues although she doesn't know the cause.

Phoebe has issues of her own, you see, and because she can't quit her job for the aforementioned financial issues with her comatose fiance, she eventually realizes that although their issues differ markedly, both she and Nero are broken inside, and since Phoebe is the last to admit her own problems, she considers herself to be a fixer, and certainly comes to recognize Nero's problems.

If there any constants in Jackie Ashenden's novels, it's that in addition to including very explicit sex scenes, they also feature characters who are broken and wounded in some fashion, some by troubled childhood experiences, some by abuse, some by povery--the reasons vary from novel to novel, but what sets Ms. Ashenden apart from other writers of erotic romance novels is that she also has a deep and explicit understanding of these broken and scarred souls, and the fact that a pair of such damaged individuals can often help heal each other. Although a reader might start out hating one of her "difficult" characters, something I certainly experienced upon encountering Nero in this novel, she's able to draw you inside their heads, and little by little, not only make you both feel and understand their pain, she can get you to eventually empathize with their issues to the point at which their tears become your own. It's a unique talent, and it's one of the main reasons I so love reading her novels. I think you will too.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel.

This is the second book of the Billionaire Fairy Tales series by Jackie Ashenden. Where the first novel was a cross between Cinderella and My Fair Lady, this second book is a modern retelling of the Beauty and the Beast. I have to say that even though the first book was just ok, I found this second book to be great!

Nero de Santis is the bastard son of the billionaire arms dealer Cesare de Santis. Nero is a recluse who hasn't left his house for the last ten years. He has gone through an army of personal assistants. He is known as the beast due to the way he treats his assistants. No one can stand him for more than three months. He has now decided to increase the pay to be able to lure a new assistant. An assistant that he is determined to test in every way possible.

Phoebe Taylor has been taking care of people her whole life. First her mother's emotional needs and her father's criticisms and for the last two years her fiancee who has been in a coma. She desperately needs this job to be able to pay for the expensive medical expenses of her fiancee. She has heard about the de Santis Beast, but nothing could have prepared her for the challenge of working for him. A challenge that not only is due to his monstrous behavior, but also due to the unexplainable and insane attraction she has for him.

A touching and emotional read with some very steamy and hot love scenes! Nero is a beast that you just can't help but be drawn to. Can't wait for the next book of the series!!!

A modern day/billionaire Beauty and the Beast. For me this story was about the Beast/Nero and I really struggled with him. His backstory with his nutjob mom, his father, it was all completely heartbreaking and made so much sense why he was the way he was. On the other hand he had more than his fair share of "I AM 100% asshole" moments. I had so many questions: did he ever get counseling or mental help as an adult? how was he ever going to leave the house? (I'm not always a believer that a love of a good woman fixes something this deep.) There is a level of reality that has to be suspended to make this story work and that's ok. On the other hand I just kept thinking this guy has so many problems that how does he even remotely get fixed.

xtremely well written and incredibly moving, but a bit too dark for my tastes. I was seriously cheering at the end though.

I loved the twist in this book!! a great read with lots of sexy scenes.

The Billionaire Beast is a unique Billionaire love story. It is about raw wild and demanding Billionaire Nero who always gets what he wants and this time he wants his new assistant Phoebe. But Phoebe has a lot of experiences with Nero’s type of character and she doesn’t break very easy, also she has a fiancé, who is in coma and because of him she must keep the job. The attraction between is everything but weak and mellow. Nero is difficult character, well develop but too hung on the past and although he is successful he has one big dark secret. Phoebe is weak when it comes to people who are broken and needs help. And she see the real Nero, although he try very best to hide it. And her wanting to help is also a reason that she finally agrees to have “relationship” with him. Unique for moment dark, emotionally story with great characters who have explosive chemistry. Something different but good. Worth your time.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for Netgelly

A man who needs to be in control and the woman who dares to defy him. The tension, wit and banter are fantastic. Don't miss this must read!

I enjoyed this more than I expected. The first chapter warned me I wasn’t going to like Nero at all, but he pleasantly surprised me. I actually loved him, he was a complex man struggling to understand the ranges of human emotions, the visceral and unusual feelings Phoebe roused in his heart, and the outside world. I appreciated his growth and struggles, though I did want more depth to him. Phoebe wasn’t bad. Though at times she seemed a bit soft, she really had a core of strength to be able to deal with everything she endured from her parents, Nero, and her fiancé. I enjoyed her character as well. The sex scenes were so yummy and hot, and the relationship developed nicely between the two. Overall this was a fun and sexy read. I want to read the rest in the series.

The minute I saw the blurb and cover of this book I just new I had to get my hands on it as soon as I could. I dived into this story the minute and I could and OMG it was so good!! and so hot !!!

In the book we follow Phoebe and Nero's . Nero is so intense , arrogant and ruthless while Phoebe is very reserved so you can see how these two personality could clash, however what ends up happens is all this sexual tension builds up between until it just explodes . I love this story we get to see some red hot sex scenes between these two that I swear literally made my Kindle overheat a bit lol , I am serious the back of it felt a bit too warm , its fine right now lol , but anyway back to the story the love story in this book was just wonderful , it wasn't just the smoking hot sex scenes, it was the way they let each other in and eventually fell in love. This story was just so good and is on my favorites book of 2017 list already .

The Billionaire Beast is a sexy ( seriously this book should come with a sign saying please read all sex scenes besides a fan lol ) addicting story, I am so happy with where we leave Phoebe and Nero at the end of this story and I cannot wait to see what Jackie Ashenden writes next . If you love all these thing in your books you should definitely pick up a copy.

The second in Ms. Ashenden fairy tale stories is wonderful.  Phoebe applies for a job as she needs to make money to pay for her fiancé's hospital bill which is astronomical.  She is hired for a job by Nero De santis who lives in his house never ventures outside and stays within only a few rooms.  Why? can't tell you must read.  This is an incredible story of how something that happens to you in the past can affect your whole life.  You will find yourself emotionally involved from page one and trust me you are never let down.  I cannot wait for her next book an incredibly wonderful series that are about one family but totally stand alone.  Loved it.

THE BILLIONAIRE BEAST is book two in Jackie Ashenden's Billionaire Fairytales series. After reading THE BILLIONAIRE BEAST, I was anxious to check out the previous book that I missed the first time around. As a reader, new to the series, I feel that THE BILLIONAIRE BEAST works well as a standalone novel. Although the hero in this story is something of a feral beast, the heroine is flawed as well, and both main characters experience a feeling of catharsis and make changes in their lives. Phoebe Taylor shows up on the wildly wealthy and reclusive Nero de Santis' doorstep desperate for the well-paying job he has to offer. Over the course of the book, Nero and Phoebe help each other in ways both small and profound.

Although the book description intrigued me, after reading the first page or two of this book, I expected that this would be a book about some dominating billionaire and possibly some bondage. How wrong I was. I was pleasantly surprised, while reading along, to find that THE BILLIONAIRE BEAST is very much a BEAUTY AND THE BEAST retelling in more ways than one. During Phoebe's initial interview Nero says some off-the-wall things to test her, but after that it becomes obvious how enthralled by her he is and becomes a sexier and more complex hero. Jackie Ashenden does a marvelous job diving into Nero's past and explaining his almost feral behavior. Despite his mercurial temperament, Nero doesn't really direct any vitriol Phoebe's way. If anything, it is apparent that he expresses anger at his parents and frustration with himself, rather than taking out any misplaced anger on Phoebe.

Phoebe is a heroine that enchanted me because she is a lot stronger than even she gives herself credit for. As her fiancé lies in a coma, it's Phoebe who takes charge and does what needs to be done while holding herself together. I like the chemistry between Phoebe and Nero, and the way their mutual attraction befuddles them both. The love scenes in THE BILLIONAIRE BEAST are blazing in intensity. I like the tender side that Phoebe brings out in Nero as the story progresses.

THE BILLIONAIRE BEAST is a scorching romance as well as an imaginative and very fitting retelling of a classic fairytale. THE BILLIONAIRE BEAST keeps the focus primarily on Phoebe and Nero from beginning to end -- on their romance and character development. I eagerly await the next installment in Jackie Ashenden's Billionaire Fairytales series.

I love a beauty/beast themed book, especially one where the hero is so damaged he hasn’t left his house in ten years! Nero is a billionaire, and due to severe trauma in his childhood, he is a recluse. He has a problem with keeping assistants. His demands are high, and his assistants seem to quit after a very short time, even when he pays them extremely well. He demands not only immediate obedience, but 24/7 around the clock – and his demands range from “get me coffee” to “get me women to have sex with me for the night.”

Phoebe needs a ton of money to help keep her husband the care he needs, as he has been in a coma for two years. She is willing to put up with anything, as long as her husband continues to get good medical attention, which is how she finds herself applying to be Nero’s assistant.

I love a jerky/asshole hero who is redeemed. A hero who has suffered such pain, he can’t help himself to his jerky attitude. BUT. In this book Nero crosses a line for me. I DNF’d at 35% so I can’t tell you if he is redeemed or not – but the way he physically forces himself on Phoebe made me squirmy. Yes, she found him attractive, but he basically tells her he wants to sleep with her, and doesn’t understand the word “no.” His attitude is – I won’t physically hurt you so I don’t understand what the problem is?. Then he blackmails her by paying her husband’s medical bills and tells her at least now “you get something out of it and so do I.”

It was just rubbed me the wrong way. He was too mean and too pushy when it came to wanting sex. I didn’t like it.

Jackie Ashenden is a gifted storyteller and I enjoy anything she writes. So I was excited to read her second book in the Billionaire Fairy Tales series. Each of the books in this series is a standalone and this one has a Beauty and the Beast theme. I thoroughly enjoyed this touching, beautiful story with its heartfelt characters.

Nero de Santis is New York's most reclusive billionaire. He has a reputation as a tyrant and is having a difficult time finding a personal assistant. Nero’s bad attitude scares off all his assistant, so he keeps increasing the pay, to try to attract new candidates.

Phoebe Taylor applies for the job. Yes, she has heard all the rumors about him, but the money is too good to turn down and she is willing to put up with just about anything to make the huge salary he is willing to pay. She tries not to let Nero’s surly attitude get under her skin, but it isn't easy.

Nero has many layers and as the reader and Phoebe get to know and understand him, it is easier to like Nero and feel sorry for the things he is dealing with. Even though Nero is broody and has a lot of flaws, he also has many good points. With Phoebe he is a different man but his strong feeling for Phoebe scare him. Phoebe is patient and kind with Nero and doesn't let his gruff exterior scare her. Nero and Phoebe are good for each other, they have lived an empty existence, until they meet. This is a sweet and sexy story.

The Billionaire Beast is the first book by Jackie Ashenden that I’ve read, even though it’s 2nd in the series. It can be read as a stand-alone though, so I didn’t have issues following along. I feel like every romance that is getting tucked into my inbox is a Billionaire novel – and each one is getting more outlandish than the next. This one isn’t your typical billionaire in the setting, but it’s stereotypical in the composition. Ashenden set out to create more of a “bastard” billionaire than all the rest and she succeeded and then wrapped him in a mental illness so you’ll pity him. While I did enjoy the novel, when it ended I felt a bit let down, because it is a fairy tale novel – the happily-ever-after was too contrived.
The book is a spin on Beauty and the Beast, Nero is the beast, the surly hero, holed up in his house for the last ten years because of he has some issues. He’s gone through assistant after assistant because he’s a jerk. He has no line, no line at all – so you can’t say he crosses a line since it doesn’t exist for him. He gets what he wants if you don’t do it – you’re gone. The heroine comes in as an assistant that is desperate for money because she has a dying finance in a coma. Nero, will pay her big bucks to do exactly what he wants and she has to put up with it, so she’s stuck.

Through the process of the novel you hate Nero and then you come to pity him because you find out why he is the way he is. He realizes that he can’t live without his new “not pretty” assistant with the great hair and his love for her changes him. Which was a bit underwhelming, because I wanted more and 220 pages can’t cure a mental illness and have them fall in love and promote hate, love and everything else. The story had a good backbone but it was wrapped up too quickly.

Overall, I enjoyed it. It’s a stereotypical book. BIG hero, bulging muscles, total bastard – billionaire, falls for an unsuspecting, not really pretty, a little bit quirky heroine. Their love cures all their problems, or at least most of them. If you like these trite storylines, you’ll enjoy this book. I personally found the story a bit shallow, but that is usually the case with these books so I’m not complaining. I can see the gem within it, though – and wanted more. It was wrapped up too nicely in the end.

The Good, The Bad, and Everything In Between
-Follow up to first book is pretty polar opposite. I definitely enjoyed the first book in this series, and Ms. Ashenden is an author whose work I like to pick up when I can, since she really has a way with her prose. She takes things down a darker path with this book which intrigued me. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, so here goes.

-Nero is an a-hole of biblical proportions at first. His complete and utter disregard for anyone’s feelings other than himself is tough to take. Like, I considered just putting this aside and saying screw it. I powered through but holy guacamole I wanted to throat punch him. This wouldn’t qualify as a safe read, and Nero crosses lines QUICKLY, like within their first scene together. He has no concept of inappropriate, and a barely there sense of right or wrong. It just made me uncomfortable. Deeper into the story is when we get to see his damaged heart and it helped. If it weren’t for the fact that he’s matched by Phoebe’s own dysfunctions, I’d probably have DNF’d it.

-Phoebe’s got her own issues. Her initial appearance as the proper, starchy British heroine gives way to this to be dominated and that’s when Nero’s jackassery was tolerable. Phoebe’s inner dialogues really helped to understand her sexual needs having been suppressed and subverted does make this erotic romance function to an extent. She spent too much time justifying a Nero’s a-hole behavior when she really didn’t know him and her calm self-possession was frustrating in the beginning. It’s when she started to push back and I got on board with this romance.

-The first third of this story was rough. As you can tell, my rating was affected greatly by that first part of the story. Her fiance, his lack of empathy, some questionable moments that I didn’t need a full description of, etc. It was a steep mountain of obstacles that this romance had to overcome to work, and honestly it felt like a slip ‘n slide for most of it. I can get down with a dysfunctional romance, but there wasn’t alot of fun in that dysfunction, and it wasn’t until late in the game that their relationship imbalance evened out and made the ride worth it.

The Bottom Line 3 stars
I struggled but I ended up liking it, because there are some intriguing themes of non-consent, domination and need to submit sexually. It’s just surrounded by alot of jackassery by Nero. I’m usually all about Jackie Ashenden’s writing, but this won’t be going on my faves list. However, if you’re into erotic romances with a jerk of a hero who eventually shows his heart, you may enjoy this more than I did.