this story has some classic characters from the beauty & beast tale -- the bluestocking beauty who seeks out the beast in order rescue a loved one (in this case the young sister threatened with marriage to the no-good that ruined Astrid's reputation for spite) and the scarred, ill-tempered, ill-mannered beast who's withdrawn from society with a fierce reputation. throw in some helpful servants (who plot on their behalf), his eccentric aunt and plenty of plenty of enjoyable dialog that had me laughing and what results is an enjoyable and even delightful read. while there is at times a slightly too "modern" feel for historical and the stubborn streaks of the h/h (her regarding her sister & he regarding his "beast" status) gets a little frustrating, the verbal sparing between them through out the book is entertaining. also the pace of the romance is well done, shown taking place over time even as both parties attempt to protect their hearts, but understanding and trust eventually wears down the fears and barriers they have placed about their hearts and love (naturally) prevails with a happy ending. this is the first book by this author I've read and I look forward to discover more of her work.

The Beast of Beswick by Amalie Howard is a mesmerizing historical romance that is sure to sweep you away. A story with intriguing characters and a captivating story line that is full of drama and romance.

Loved reading the phenomenally extraordinary romance story. Astrid needs to save her younger sister from an evil man and comes to the Duke of Beswick, Lord Nathaniel Harte, otherwise known as the Beast of Beswick, with an unusual request, a proposal of marriage. Nathaniel has no plans to marry, but he soon discovers himself coming to the rescue of the lovely and beautiful Lady Astrid Everleigh. Read the highly recommended, beautifully written with captivating characters and riveting story line, and a must read love story.
I reviewed a copy of the book through NetGalley.

This is a wonderful romance about a man, severely scarred by the war, and the woman who eventually made him realize that he was worthy of love, especially hers. Thane has hid himself away from the world because of his scars and then Astrid shows up seeking protection for herself and her sister. Women at this time had no say about the path their lives would take and were entirely dependent upon the males in their lived. There are many ups and downs in their early marriage almost to the point of divorce but Thane had underestimated Astrid and her determination to stay in his life. Their story is well written and keeps you wondering what will happen next until there is a HEA. I loved their story and would highly recommend it as a great read.

I really enjoyed the Beast of Beswick, it was one of the better regency Beauty and the Beast retellings I've read. Admittedly, I was a bit slow to get into it at the beginning and it felt slightly rushed at the end but overall it was good. I liked Astrid and Thane and their sizzling banter. Generally, the characterisation was good but I felt that the villains were a tad on the pantomime-ish side. I will, however, be looking forward to reading more Amalie Howard in the future.

I thought that this was good, but not good enough to make it a favorite for me. For it to be compared to The Duchess Deal, I was expecting to love this book. However, the execution of it and the way everything played out just really didn’t hold up to my expectations.

I feel like this book could have been shorter and had the same effect, if not better. There was a repetition of the same issues such as him thinking that she’s too good for him and the situation with her sister. It felt as if this book was being carried by those two issues when we could have had more on their building relationship.

These do did have great chemistry and awesome sex scenes, but I wanted more between them. We read about them fighting, having sex, and having the same drawn out conversation of how he’s a beast and she deserves better. And those repeated the whole time. While I love good steamy moments, I need more of them actually building the connection.

All in all, this wasn’t what I was expecting and while it was good, if the execution was done differently then I would have loved it so much more.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was an unique take on Beauty and the Beast story. Thane was injured horribly in the war and is now a cranky beast. Astrid is bedding protection for her little sister. I did enjoy the story a great deal. It was a fun and inventive story.

Holy heck! Talk about your grumpy, beastly hero. Thane was perfect!!!

’Though this duke was wholly human as far as she could tell…his eyes burned with an unholy amber fire, holding her in a glower that seemed better suited to hell. Astrid couldn’t control the dread running through her body. His nostrils flared as if he could sense her unease, and suddenly, she felt like prey, well and truly snared by something far bigger and far more dangerous than she.’

When Astrid is forced to take drastic actions in order to protect her sister, she immediately knows who to coerce. But Thane isn’t easily swayed, despite his instant desire and the fact that her hands, and his salacious fantasies of what they could do, are driving him to near madness. He quickly learns that the bluestocking takes determination to a whole new level and his life is suddenly turned upside down.

While Astrid abides by most of society’s rules, nothing can rule her thoughts and opinions. She is fierce in her belief that women have the right to choose their own future and should not be dictated to by any male. I loved that she never hesitated to stand up to Thane, even when he was his most intimidating. She has a fiery spirit and sharp tongue and she not only keeps him on his toes but brings a smile to his lips that has been long absent.

’She was no meek English rose, no sweet-tempered maiden, no delicate miss. She was a fiery hothouse bloom that made his blood burn and drove him to intolerable distraction.’

Not only was Thane’s face and body covered in thick, grotesque scars, his heart was scarred even more so. He was his own worse enemy when it came to his relationship with Astrid. But I totally understood where he was coming from each time he drew her in only to push her away again. I’m not a push and pull fan but there was no other way this hero could have reacted. Each time it was a step closer to him finding healing. Even when he was being brutish I just wanted to hug him. His heartache was my own and I ached for him to find true happiness with Astrid.

Together this couple were absolutely, freaking amazing! I loved their quick, sharp and always smart banter. While there is definitely immediate desire, everything else takes time and I loved every layer that was peeled back as this couple grew closer. Thane’s possessiveness thrilled my alpha loving heart and bless Astrid’s heart for knowing just when to use it against him. While this story is rich in character development, the chemistry between these two sizzles across the page. The smexy times will definitely leave you feeling breathless.

I picked this up because I’m a sucker for anything that hints at a beastly hero and I’m so glad I did. This book totally did it for me!

I honestly had a hard time putting this down. If my eyelids hadn't been mysteriously injected with concrete, I totally would have totally finished this in one sitting. The Beast of Beswick is my first book by Amalie Howard and I have to say I really enjoyed her writing style. The book blurb is totally smack dab on- this is very much a mix of Tessa Dare's The Duchess Deal meets Taming of the Shrew and a dash of Beauty and the Beast in the mix. I'm typically not one for reimagined fairy tales into whatever, but this really worked.

Lady Astrid Everleigh is desperate to get out from under her greedy uncle's rule and even more so to stop her Uncle's planning of marriage between her very younger sister (who she is the guardian of) and the same man responsible for her (false) public ruin 6 years ago. Her best strategy is to beat the obstacles with a champion, except her ideal champion isn't a white knight, he's a Beast.

Lord Nathaniel Harte has been known by the moniker the Beast of Beswick since returning from war horrifically scarred and a horrific attitude to match. He's found it easier to push everyone away than deal with the feelings that come from his time at war and its aftereffects.

In an attempt to solicit Beswick's help, Astrid offers herself in marriage. Something about the bold and sharp-tongued Astrid sticks with Beswick and while he's verbally tried to push her away, his mind won't let her go. Not only is Astrid infuriating and beautiful, but their chemistry has wakened his body and mind from slumber to an inferno. (expect a lot of sharp wits, verbal sparring, sparking chemistry, and the infuriatingly irritating male mindset into action)

The writing/story isn't exactly accurate in true regency writing but is a better interpretation than most. And while we did have a bit of the modern pitfall of injecting ideals of modern women having equal rights into a historical backdrop it was ok because it was blended very well with the feminism/ sufferage movement that was sparking at the time. I really enjoyed the merging of feminism into the story and how Beswick encouraged/ accepted it.

All in all, I really enjoyed The Beast of Beswick and am going to be looking for more by the author!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for this generously provided ARC!

This is a Beauty and Beast retelling with a duke whose face was horribly disfigured while fighting in the Napoleonic Wars. Thane is so convinced that he is worthless now that people regard him as some sort of monster because of his facial scars. But he has faithful servants whom you can practically see jumping out of the Disney movie.

Astrid appeals to him for help to save her younger sister from marriage to a villainous earl. Despite himself Thane is attracted to Astrid’s beauty and sharp wit. Their dialogues were the most enjoyable part of the book.

Astrid is a feminist who resents the legal limitations on women in this period. She reads Mary Wollstonecraft. In addition to the fairy tale elements, there are also parallels and references to Frankenstein, which was published in the year before this story takes place.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

“One bloody hour of conversation, and he craved more of her delicious wit like an opium addict. It was madness. By God, the chit invaded his every waking hour. Sleeping ones as well. Before he’d gone to London, he’d ridden over to the Everleigh estate in the dark of night, trying to figure out which bedroom was hers. And then he’d imagined her in a transparent night rail lying in bed, and his renowned self-control had been shot to hell.“*

In order to save her sister from a marriage to the the scoundrel who ruined Astrid’s reputation, she begs a favor of Thane, the infamous Beast of Beswick, a duke, who was horribly scarred during war. The feelings and red-hot attraction Astrid and Thane feel for each other shocks them as well as the ton, but his fear that he is undesirable and unloveable threatens to tear them apart. Not only does Astrid stand to lose Thane, she could lose her ability to protect her sister.

Doing justice to the marriage of two beloved classics such as BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and THE TAMING OF THE SHREW is a tall order, and one that the author fills with the perfect blend of sensuality, wit, and humor. Astrid is a strong heroine who finds a perfect match in Thane. He may be scarred inside and out, but she also bears the scorn of society. Thane’s bawdy Aunt Mabel is a standout character, who would make an excellent and unconventional heroine of her own love story.

The book, which is packed with steamy love scenes and wickedly fun banter, delivers the addictive emotion romance readers crave.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to the NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for providing an Advance Reader Copy.

*Please note that my review is based on uncorrected text.

Astrid Everleigh knows of only one man who can help her, the Beast of Beswick. Offering to catalog his Chinese porcelain collection to sale at auction isn't the only thing she offers. Marriage to Thane, Duke of Beswick would protect Astrid and her sister if she can convince him to agree. Badly scared from his wounds in the war, Thane is the beast of dark moods with little love for himself. He's definitely attracted to Astrid. She stands up to him and makes him laugh. But it is the sexual heat between them that starts to breakdown his barriers and gives Astrid hope. Spicy humor and hope for a dark Duke, set the stage for a very entertaining romance. I must admit the sexual banter was outstanding.

To save her sister from a dreadful future, a woman is willing to marry a man renowned as a monster if necessary...

As Beauty and Beast is one of my favorite trope, I could not pass on this one book.
This is my second read of Mrs Amalie Howard’s work but my first as a single author as I have read one of her two voices stories with Angie Morgan.
My first feeling after finishing my reading is how it was such an angsty story. Each one of the main characters refuse ms to let the past go, they hold on their old grudge. While I could relate with Thane’s pain, I do think Astrid held for too long on her old grudge.
After it is this stubbornness which helps her to never give up on Thane, and she will have to be resilient as at every turn he pushes her away.

They spend most of their time sparing with words and when it is often caustic and witty, it is also painful at time when with barbs they wound one another.
Hanna is a very modern woman, her family gave her so much freedom, she was more raising like a boy than a girl, yet her younger self had dreams which were crushed because she refused to bend to her betrothed’s will. From this moment, she has decided she will never be under the thumb of a man, yet she forget in which period she lives.
Thane is a survivor but since he is also a ghost of his own self, he has retreated from all social life, as society is very unfair to those whom reminds it of its amnesia for those who risked their life and its inconstancies at accepting their wounded soldiers back.
Why he finally rejects everyone around him, unable to believe someone could see past his scars and love the man hiding behind.
And once they meet, it is only quarrel after verbal tussle, it is only in the bedroom they find a common ground and some peace. Still once the sun rises, they are back to their old way and struggle with their feelings.

It was an entertaining read, on the steamy side with two people unable to express their sentiments and hurting the other in the process.
4 stars

I was granted an advance copy by the publisher but prior to it, I preordered my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Wow! The Beast Of Beswick is a phenomenal historical romance by Amalie Howard. Ms. Howard has provided readers with a well-written book populated with a stellar cast of characters. I especially loved Aunt Mabel. Astrid was ruined during her first season by a man spreading lies about her because she turned him down. The same man now is back and after her younger sister. Thane, Duke of Beswick, horribly scarred from the war has no plans to ever marry or have children. Thane and Astrid's story is loaded with drama, humor, steamy sex, action and suspense. I enjoyed every page of this book and look forward to reading more from Amalie Howard in the future. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Beast of Beswick has all the right ingredient for a great historical—passion, Tragic Backstories™️, protagonists should are scared of love, and a few healthy dashes of feminism. It’s always a delight to watch a gruff duke’s heart grow gradually softer as he falls in love, and Thane was no exception. I’d have liked a bit more complexity to Thane’s motivations, and Astrid’s plotline with her sister felt a little out of place on occasion, but overall this was a satisfying, emotional read with just enough danger to add some thrill and enough sexiness to add some spice.