I was really surprised - in a good way! - by this book. It was completely not what I expected but it was awesome and magical and super enjoyable - here’s to hoping there’s a sequel!

Actual rating 3.5

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.

I was intrigued by the description of this book and I wasn't disappointed. The main characters are known as Beasties, human servants of the witch Mada Vittora, who started life as animals. The basis of the story is their race against time to prevent the spell that made them breaking and returning them to their former selves. There's plenty of action and the story moves along at quite a pace. I'm not sure if this book is planned as the first in a series, but the ending certainly leaves the promise of more to come. I will definitely be recommending this book.

Grim Lovelies was an enchanting and very different from what I expected in the best of ways. Not only is the book stunning, but features a very different take on what we expect from magical tales and glimpses at events from points of view we hardly even think twice about as tales unfold. I enjoyed the refreshing change from what we commonly see in YA tales it really broadened my perspective on the possibilities in YA novels to come.

This was a fun read! I'm such a sucker any story that includes witches and/or magic. Grim Lovelies did not disappoint. It is a delicious, creepy, coming-of-age story set in present day Paris. The setting of Paris gives it a touch of Old World opulence. I loved watching the transformation of Anouk. It was like watching a young friend come into her own, realize her worth, using magic!
How do you say fan-freaking-tastic in French?

I accidentally pasted the review for a different book in here. I haven't finished reading this yet, and it won't let me undo my review :(

The pacing is too quick to write solid world building. I didn't connect with any of the characters because there's no character development. I'm told the lady of the house was a horrible person but I never saw it so when she died, I didn't feel relieved or happy or sad or anything. They constantly mentioned Luc and it got annoying. I was confused about the classifications of witches because it wasn't explained and if they can do magic, why do they need house cleaners? Not sure of the point of going on a shopping spree; it didn't seem to drive the plot.

I enjoyed this book despite taking quite some time to read it. I didn't devour it in one sitting, but came back to it a few times while finishing other books. I was excited to read a book set in Paris (having actually been there! Off my bucket list :) and Anouk's seemingly simple, non-human character drew me in. The non-human part confused me for the first few seconds, but it was easily understood in context. Anouk is not a typical 17-year-old (a Beastie created from animals) and is trying to find her footing in the human world despite not ever leaving her home. There are underground politics, other Beasties, and her own desires that help and/or hinder her desire to be independent.

This was a wonderful adventure. It was a perfect book for a cloudy day or a clear sky. Megan Shepherd transports us to a nameless time in an alternate reality in France. It was a timeless journey through the streets of Paris and the countryside with its lavender fields. We are introduced to Anouk, a timid maid, for a powerful witch, Mada Vittora. You see Anouk has only been alive for a year and some days. She has no idea what is in store for her and her beastie family. We are introduced to three magical castes, the Haute (Royals), the Witches and the Goblins. Beasties are created by magic. They were once animals living innocent lives and now then they are transformed by spellwork into human form. When they transform, they are in their late teens to early twenties. There is a secret history of the beasties that is unknown to most of the Royals and Witches. They believe Anouk and her kind are devoid of all magical ability because they are created by magic. This of course we learn is completely wrong. Beasties receive none of the side effects of casting magical spells Magic you see when cast by humans is done so at a cost. You could lose your liver or leg to petrification. The greater the magic in turn means a greater cost Anouk and her "family" are in a bit of a pickle. Someone has killed their mistress and now they have three days to find another witch or royal who will recast the spell that created them or they will revert to their animal form. Whom do they turn to when you can trust no one and you are suspected of the murder of a woman whom you thought of as your mother? This is where the story gets interesting. Mild mannered Anouk is more than she seems. She shows great courage in adversity and discovers what it means to love along the way. What will happen? Will Anouk discover her hidden talents in time to save her adopted family? Or will she be forced to watch the ones she loves revert to their animals selves? You will have to read it to find out. I look forward to more adventures from Megan Shepherd hopefully in this same realm.

Anouk has always wondered what the outside is really like, where the Pretties live. She's not really human, she just looks like one. She's what the magical world calls a Beastie--a servant created from an animal.

She quickly finds out about the outside world when her mistress is found murdered in a pool of blood, and she gets the blame. Her and her fellow Beasties now have only three days to prove their innocence before the spell that keeps them human wears off, and they forget each other completely.

The Beasties run through a chic Paris filled with Goblins and magic wielders, it's a crazy fun caper story with a bit of love story mixed in. The world its set in is creative and different, and while the story is familiar, the players are something new. A fun read overall.

Yes, yes and yes. That's what I have to say about this book. I'll read any book that has a magical aspect but sometimes it's the same thing over and over. GRIM LOVELIES is not that. It is unique and has this amazing world that is very creative. The characters feel so real and you're immediately invested in them and their journey. I loved the pacing of this book and want more! Make sure you put this on your TBR list.

I didn't think I'd like this book much when I started it. It had an interesting premise and and interesting set of characters, but it seemed a little bland in the writing. I pushed forward and found myself half enjoying the book about halfway through the book, and that's when it started picking up speed and I actually started thoroughly enjoying it. There were gems hidden throughout this book that made my eyes turn into hearts (give me all of the new original fairytales, yaaaaaaaaaaaaas) and it was just beautiful. I found myself screenshotting and highlighting these tidbits so I could easily find and reread them.
I also liked the inclusivity of this book. I'm so happy that a good amount of the recent fiction I've read has been diverse, and I live for the transgendered characters getting what they want most in life (YOU ARE RELEVANT. YOU ARE LOVED. YOU'RE FEELINGS ARE VALID.).
The pacing was a little off for me, it was really slow at some parts and then really fast at others, and the focuses seemed a little hazy at times, but I mean, it was pretty good otherwise.
I liked it.

I really enjoyed this book. Animals tuned human often play a central part in most fairy tales, there to be seen.. but not heard. In Grim lovelies we get to hear their tales, the struggles, the wonder of life as an animal made human. This dark but beautiful tale had me hooked from page one.

3.5

Grim Lovelies is a nice mix of several of my favorite subjects and genres: witches, politics, fantasy creatures and intrigue! While it started slow, the lush descriptions and characters kept you turning pages. I do feel like this is aimed at a younger audience (and that's fine).

This was a very enjoyable read. Anouk and friends are anti-heroes just trying to get though. The idea of animals being turned into humans and how they might feel about that is a unique take on the fairy-tale/ fantasy genre. Hoping for a sequel.

Grim Lovelies, I really wanted to love you. I've read reviews praising you for your world building, your characters, your lush language. And you do have all of those things. I can't fault you in any way. We just...didn't click. I found you slow to get going, and even when the plot kicked in I wasn't invested. You (presumably) found me impatient. At just over 50% read, I'm releasing you. Find another reader; you'll be very happy together. Because you are a fantastic book. You're just not the right book for me right now.

Receiving an ARC did not alter my review in any way.

Grim Lovelies starts quite slowly but overall I enjoyed it. The characters and fantasy elements of it were wonderful.

I can not tell you how fast you need to pre-order this book.
The adaption of fairy tales is a fresh take and left me laughing at points and trying to gobble up this book as fast as I could but I was sad once it was over. I hope this is a series because I am ready for more!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a digital arc of "Grim Lovelies" by Megan Shepherd. I am sorry to say this book was not for me. I think it would appeal more to a younger teen audience. The reason I say this is because the main character just felt like a younger teen and was just not for me. I think 9th graders and 10th graders will enjoy it though. The world is very unusual which will appeal to readers as it does not feel like another clone of the over done YA fantasy. I suggest this for younger fantasy lovers.

This was a good book to an extent. The first half was a bit slow and hard to get into. The second half had a lot more action, but I wasn't really feeling it. Especially when the romance was introduced--I didn't like it at all. I like how it ended and I'm curious to see what road it takes in the next book.