Anouk looks 17, but she's really much younger (in human years). In fact, she's only been human for about a year and has no idea what she was before then. She's one of five "beasties" enchanted by Mada Vittoria, kept inside away from the "pretties" (real humans) and other members of the witch world, only seeing people who enter the Mada's home. Then the Mada is killed, and suddenly Anouk and her friends have a mere three days to find someone else to keep the enchantment going. But who? Another Mada? A Royal? That search will lead them around Paris and France, entangling them with humans, Madas, Royals and goblins.

As a start to a series this isn't bad, but the world building is at times rushed. There are several characters I hope to meet again.

eARC provided by publisher.

I was intrigued by this book the moment I read the summary because the premise sounded so cool, and I am so happy that it lived up to it. I love any kind of fairy tale retelling or related book, and I just think that the idea of a story about the animals who are turned into humans in those stories was such a great idea, and I love the society that Megan built around that.
Not only did I really love the that story idea, but I absolutely loved the characters. I just fell in love with the main character, Anouk. In a lot of fantasy books that I have read lately, the main female characters have tended to be these bad ass fighters who are a lot of the times very outspoken, but when you meet Anouk, she is the exact opposite. She serves her Mistress, the Witch who enchanted her and is not bitter about it and doesn't want to fight it like her siblings, she is quit, she is soft, and yes, she was naive, but I loved all of those things about her.
Back to the society, I loved how it was split into 4, The Witches, The Beasties, The Royals, and The Goblins, and honestly, while I wouldn't want a direct sequel to this book, I think that a companion novel would be amazing because there is so much more that could be explored.
While for the most part I did enjoy this book, there was one thing that I wasn't' the biggest fan of, and that was the end of the book. I got to a point near 75% of the way through the book where I kept feeling like the book was going to end, but then it would continue and I there were a couple of times where I was thinking to myself that I just wanted it to end already. It wasn't that I wasn't enjoying it, I just felt like it kept dragging and that it should have been ending soon. Then there was the ending, which while I thought it was good, there was part of me that wasn't quite satisfied with it. Despite not loving the end, I do still really like the book, and like I said before, I would love more books set in this world.

When I started Grim Lovelies I got a very Harry Potter vibe from it. It takes place in modern Paris where witches, Goblins, gargoyles etc… exist in secret amongst humans. The premise of the story is that a cruel witch named Mada enchanted four animals into human beings known as beasties, who serve her every whim. Then she is found murderedand our MC Anouk is the prime suspect. She decides to find the culprit with the aid of her fellow beasties before their times as humans run out. Anouk was a very likeable character and quite endearing some of the situations she got in although dangerous some were quite hilarious as she has never interacted with anyone other than her fellow beasties. It was also great to see that the longer she spent amongst human and fellow supernatural beings she became more hardened and cold like she needed to adapt in order to protect her friends. I really enjoyed the magic system in this story it is hard to be original with magic books but this still came off as interesting. There is romance featured in the story but more like a condiment than an actual side dish and to be honest could have done without altogether. I have been told that this compares to some Grimm Brothers stories but I couldn’t really tell besides maybe Cinderella. So I am hoping to see more of that in the second book. Overall this is a nice addition to the somewhat fairy tale/magic genre. P.S. I was not expecting that ending so udo s to the author and is making me itch for book two even more.

I saw Grim Lovelies getting a lot of hype so when I saw it suggested on my NetGalley dashboard, I decided to request it. I got really excited when I was approved for it, but I was already a few books behind on my physical/digital TBR. So, I put off reading it for a couple weeks, knowing that I had the time available to do so without missing the archive date (while not stressing about being behind on my TBR). Even as I write this review, I’m not certain what rating it’ll get, though I have a vague idea. I don’t remember any specific TW/CWs and I didn’t note any in Goodreads while I was reading, so if you’ve read the novel and you know of some please let me know and I’ll update the post. 🙂

Grim Lovelies is told entirely from the perspective of Anouk, an animal who has been turned into a human being by her mistress, who is a witch. I really enjoyed her arc and how she adjusts her perception of things throughout the story to encompass any nw information she learns about her situation and the other people who are in it with her. The other characters were developed well enough, though I had a little trouble picturing some of them beyond a few basic visual descriptions. However, I’m not sure if that is because of me or the book itself so I can’t hold it against Megan Shepherd at all.

The entire story is set in what I imagine as modern day France, with a good portion of it being set in Paris. At the same time, the world Anouk inhabits is an alternate one, something just below the surface of what you or I as Pretties would be able to experience. It brought a bit of the old world with its lack of electricity and the behavior of maids while clinging to the modern world when it came to things like fashion. It was really unique and well built up and I enjoyed experiencing it quite a lot.

The story itself felt a bit strangely paced at times, but I almost feel like this was intentional in a way that throws the reader off and makes them wonder if what they expect to happen next will be what happens or if maybe a plot twist is coming? There were a couple plot twists during the story, though they were almost entirely the kind meant for the characters, not the reader. These were played out nicely, I thought. However, the ending. SIGH. It is a cliffhanger.

I really did enjoy this novel, though I was a bit surprised when I discovered that it isn’t Megan Shepherd’s debut novel. I feel like the writing was more on par with a debut author than one who has published a full series before writing this one, but maybe she’s just tackling a different genre? I don’t know. I do look forward to reading the next novel in the series, though I’m not sure how high it’ll rank on my TBR when it comes around. The one thing that will likely bring it up on the list is the “your faves are not safe” aspect because I am a sucker for emotional punishment at the hands of literary characters.

I decided to round up because even though the first half of the book was slow, it really picked up the second half and I really started to like Anouk. In a way, the story kind of felt like Cinderella because Anouk and her friends were racing to stay human before midnight, except that they were the animals instead. It was really confusing at first because I had no idea what was really going on, but the more the book went on the more I started to love it. I loved Anouk and her group of friends. They were a little naive at first, but as they worked together as a family they grew a lot, especially Anouk. Anouk was just awesome. She was quiet and shy but really became confident in herself that she could do anything possible. Aside from that, I enjoyed reading the complex side of how magic is used. That was definitely interesting to read and I hope to delve more into that in the next book.

The Grim Lovelies is a beautifully dark enchanted fantasy where an evil witch has turned animals into humans, but the story is definitely plot driven. While I do love stories that are written this way, I feel like we lost out on the potential to get to really feel and know the characters like I hoped we would. I did love Anouk's character a lot, she's naive, but she's not stupid, so it's a refreshing trait. I think it's a line that authors are often challenged with, and Shepherd tackled it well. I loved the fact that it was set in France, because there's already this air of enchantment around the place in real life, and settings were described so well. I really did feel like I was sucked into the world. This was a story that reminded me somewhat of Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, and I loved that feeling. I can't wait to see this book out in the world in October!

If you know me well, you know I love Parisian culture. I love the beautiful, ornately decorated townhouses. I love the fountains and how amour always seems to be hanging in the air. I love the underground punk subculture of the catacombs. When it comes to what I love about the culture of Paris, Megan Shepherd’s new YA fantasy novel Grim Lovelies has it all.

Anouk used to be an animal until the powerful witch Mada Vittora enchanted her into a human servant in her swanky Parisian townhouse. She is a beastie. Obedient and trusting, Anouk follows the Mada’s every order and stays within the boundaries of the townhouse, never stepping out into the world. But when Mada Vittora is murdered, Anouk and the Mada’s other beasties only have three days until their spell ends and they return to their original animal forms. They embark on an adventure involving magical hedges, goblins and dark magic in a last ditch effort to save their humanity.

I was sucked into the world of the Haute and witchy magic in this book. As far as my normal reading comfort zone, this book pushed the boundaries of what I normally enjoy. It took me a while to get into the world, but once I did, I was hooked. My favorite part about the magic system was the vitae echo, in which any harm a witch does ricochets against her own body, making witches fallible and accountable for their moral misdeeds. That aspect of the plot is what took this book to the next level for me and made it feel like a richer and more complex fantasy.

I loved the cast of characters in this book, but there was so much action and worldbuilding that it felt like character development sometimes took a backseat and I wanted to know more about these wonderful magical beings. Luckily, Grim Lovelies is the first in a series, so I hope that I will get to know Anouk and the rest of the characters more as the larger overarching story develops. Anouk starts off as a diminutive servant and there is character development. I just wish it was more complex and developed along the way, especially next to the vivid worldbuilding and twisty plot.

I’m so excited for the next book in this decadent, fun, magical series. If you like books about Paris like me or books about badass magical girls or witches, I definitely recommend giving this book a chance!

This book was a fantastic read. I loved this new fantasy world. I believe that it shows great promise as a new series. It was original and very magical.

I Love the groups that Megan Sherperd created. Royals, Witches, Goblins and Beasties. It has a Hogwarts fell to it and I don't mind it.

I loved that it was based in Paris, I think it felt more magical because of it.

The beginning confused me a little because it felt that it started from the a few chapters in, but as I read on I got fully immersed in this magical world and it's characters, specially with the Beasties.

As soon as I read the premise of this book, I knew I needed to read it. And I was not disappointed! From very early in the book, I enjoyed Anouk's reactions to things from the Pretty world she had never encountered (and thought it was well-balanced with what she would have learned from the other beasties). It's a deeply character-driven story and I loved the characters and their development very much (Viggo and Hunter Black's growth in particular). The writing took a little longer than I like to grab me, but once it did I stayed up too late to read "just one more chapter" two nights in a row until I finished the book. I struggled a little with the ending (namely, I wanted an epilogue or a sequel or something MORE from these beautiful characters, but I also just wanted slightly more closure than we got - although that was almost certainly deliberate), but I loved the complexity of the characters and the acknowledgement that it's possible to love someone who hasn't treated you well. I'll definitely be passing this one on to my kiddos who love twisted fairy tales, real-world magic, and complex character-building!

This was a very enjoyable read for me but it didn't manage to grip me and intrigue me as much as I had initially hoped. The characters are enjoyable but there were times when i felt they lacked depth and could be developed more. The cover was stunning and the story was quiet cute and an enjoyable read (just not gripping).I feel this will sell well due to the cover and description but some older fans of YA like myself, may struggle just a bit.

This is one of those titles that is difficult to review. I enjoyed the story and characters, the plot twists, and the excitement. The problem is that every time someone asks me about what I thought I pause and say, "It was different. Good, but different."

This was such an original concept, and I adored reading this. Great world building and characterisation, with just the right amount of romance to make it sweet, but not overwhelming. It's the never before told story of what underlies Cinderella, although I must say that it would be far more suitable to a middle grade rather than YA audience.

Initially I requested this book because I loved the cover, heard great things about the book, and was interested in reading more after reading an excerpt on ew.com. I eagerly started this book and liked the beginning - until Mada Vittora's death.

I could definitely see the comparisons to Cinderella with the animals turned into teenagers by witches then needing magic to remain human, I was even intrigued by the witch boys. I just had trouble connecting with Anouk. From the beginning I saw her as weak and naive; she acted so young and innocent from being so sheltered by Mada Vittora. Why she seemed so attached to Mada Vittora and so torn up about her murder is unclear to me since by accounts from the other Beasties she was far from motherly, even going so far as to cut off some of Anouk's toes so her feet would better fit into her shoes.

Then there was the strange tangle of relationships with Anouk. Beau loved Anouk but she saw him like a brother. Anouk claimed Luc was also like a brother to her but she fixated on wanting to know where he was and finding him so much at the beginning of the book I thought she was interested in him. And the proposition from Prince Rennar which wasn't really an option at all. And what was that with Viggo? Real attraction or the backlash of some spell?

Overall, I liked the concept and the setting of the story and the glimpse of world-building we see (sort of) but I had trouble connecting with the main character and the supporting characters.

This book got off to a slow start, but quickly picked up momentum. As the characters came together and met new people (and Goblins), the story got better and better. With a bittersweet ending with a lot of loose threads, I am very anxious to read the sequel and continue the journey.

One thing that really struck me with this story was that it felt like it could have taken place in different eras. Every now and then, there are references that are modern, but because of the magical, insular world the story takes place in, it felt suspended in time. Initially, it took me some time to get drawn into the story, but once the catalyst event occurs a few chapters in, the story quickly progresses. I enjoyed the concept of an old, magical caste system and a ruling family that presides over it all (and not with benevolence, but with underhanded means). It kept me guessing, and points toward the start of a series, which I am excited for. It ended with somewhat of a cliffhanger, but alludes to a reinvention of the main character's identity, and whether she may be tempted to become like those she served under or not.

I really liked this one, and not just because I'm a sucker for a pretty cover. (But I am a sucker for a pretty cover.) It's akin to a fantasy coming of age story set in Paris, except it's more of a tale of growing a backbone. The heroine, seventeen year old Anouk, starts as a timid obedient servant who by the end of the story has broken free from being anyone's pet. Every time when I thought she might take the easy way out - the one which depended on another character to save her - she made her own path instead.

As a standalone, this book didn't capture me enough to love it. I liked several of the characters, but none of them are ones I'm completely smitten with... yet. However, it is a very good introduction and foundation to a series. I definitely want to read what happens next, and I like that the general concept was one I haven't already read in a hundred of recycled ways.

Grim Lovelies took me longer to read than usual, I didn't feel fully engaged in the story until almost 2/3 of the way through. The concept is intriguing and unique, although it takes some predictable turns and unsurprisingly sets itself up for a sequel. I'm interested enough in the characters that I would begin the second book, to see if it can build on its promise.

This book grabs you from page one and keeps you enthralled to the very end. I highly recommend this to readers who enjoy witches, goblins, and beasties.

I didn't so much read Grim Lovelies as swallow it whole, devouring it in less than a day. It was a fast-paced, action-heavy narrative with innovative magic and a diverse and appealing cast. And because it was fun, it was easy to rush past its flaws, though there were a few. Because of that it won't be for everyone, but it's a solid read.

For a book about the City of Lights, the book managed some admirable darkness. Some of the punishments Anouk endures are very Grimm’s Fairy Tales, and I do mean the original versions, not the Disneyfied ones. The morbidity gave the story some complexity and depth, and real urgency since the consequences were terrifying to contemplate.

Anouk, one of five animals transformed into humans who work for the witch who created them, is largely content as a housemaid. She longs to go outside and see the local wishing fountain, but has no desire to leave the service of Mada Vittoria. Unfortunately, she has little choice once Mada Vittoria is murdered and she seems like an accomplice. Suddenly she must flee everything she knows in order not to lose everything she is: without another witch to enchant her, she will turn back into an animal. And so will all her fellow Beasties, darling Beau and conniving Cricket, and even the wicked Hunter Black.

A murder mystery, a missing person, a royal conspiracy, a witchy territory war, and a ticking clock. That's a lot, and Shepherd juggles each issue capably. No thread ever gets lost or confused, and Anouk manages to provide a focal point for all the magic as well as the action.

Anouk was a little lacking in personality to start out. She reminded me of a paler version of Rapunzel in Tangled, the kind of eager-to-please shut-in who easily earns our sympathy but takes a little longer to earn our respect. But Anouk isn't given a chance—or doesn't take a chance—to hit anyone with a frying pan or paint her heart out. She mostly follows what her fellow Beasties tell her to do, shying away from responsibility or action.

But slowly, Anouk began to wake from the dream—the illusion—that Mada Vittora was her mother and grapple with the reality that Mada Vittora was her owner and often her abuser. She doesn't really have time to develop more interests, but fortunately the development of her self-confidence is compelling enough on its own. I would have liked to see more facets to her personality emerge, but I still liked her well enough.

Anouk's romance was not terribly romantic. There are glimmers of real connection--dancing in sudsy water, dreaming of sharing normal activities—but those are outweighed by jealousy and inexperience. Anouk has only been human for a year, and has never been outside her house. Declarations of love ring hollow when she barely knows herself enough to say whether she likes a particular person or just wants to feel loved. Much more compelling was the familial love that develops between the Beasties. Though extremely different and often at odds, they create a makeshift family for themselves that made for some of the strongest scenes in the book.

Likewise compelling were the little details, like calling the royals the Haute, the ingredients for spells, and the fairy tales Anouk uses to understand the world. I only wish there had been more such details, especially about Paris. Take away mentions of patisseries and key architectural features (the Seine, the Eiffel Tower) and this could have been any city. I just didn't feel like I was in Paris again. Granted the characters didn't have a lot of time for sight-seeing, but that only makes it more incumbent on Shepherd to infuse the descriptions with a sense of place. I didn't have a sense of Paris from the story that I couldn't have gotten from Google Maps.

I also would have liked to see the magic taken further. There are some good ideas here—a bottomless bag, portraits that function as remote spy-holes, and so on—but there was more work to do to make this a full and immersive world. I hope that in subsequent books she pushes her creativity further, exploring the various magical cultures and developing more nuances for her magic system.

I appreciated the twisty, unexpected ending, even though this means the book is far from complete. I'm expecting another trilogy based on the number of loose ends that went untied, so prepare yourself for that if you expected resolution. There was satisfaction to be had, though, in Anouk's growth and the development of all the Beasties. It's not a bad foundation on which to build, but the next book will really decide which way the scales tip for the series. Until then, pack this one for a weekend trip or a last trip to the beach and enjoy.

This will be posted on Geeklyinc.com 1 week before the book publishes.

Phenomenal! A truly unique read, recommended for fantasy lovers. The characters are nicely fleshed out in their various roles. The prose is simply enthralling, and the plot is a wonderful twist on the classics. Looking forward to reading more from this author.