Beauty Tempts the Beast
Sins for All Seasons Series - Book 6
By Lorraine Heath

Avon - October 2020

Historical Romance


Althea Stanwick had once lived a different life. One filled with plenty, where worry was over a dress and the latest gossip. Then their lives had crumbled. Her father had been a traitor, and he had been stripped of his title. Now, she and her two brothers were penniless, their friends had turned their backs on them, and she was forced to work in a pub. Life was now dangerous, and she’d had to face hard facts. One of which was that she needed to find a way forward, independent of her brothers.

From the moment Benedict Trewlove saw Thea, he knew she didn't belong. He was impressed with her fortitude, and determination to make her own way. He and his siblings had done the same. Sold as babies, unwanted by their parents, their mum had made a loving home for them. They had all learned, and grown powerful in their own rights. He was Beast, he protected those he called his own, and many were prostitutes. But he wanted a better life for them. He wanted them educated, and able to secure jobs that gave them pride.

So he made an agreement with Thea. She would move into his establishment, and teach the ladies. Not only educating them, but also training them for new careers. In return, he would pay Thea well, and help train her for the new life she planned.

Beauty Tempts the Beast is the final story in Ms Heath's Sins for All Seasons series. Beast does not live up to his name, unless it is to protect someone who is under his protection. Otherwise, he is gentle, caring, so loving to his family, and someone Thea is finding difficult to resist knowing her plans for her future would exclude him. I loved watching the Trewloves gather and rally as they always do for one another, and sad to see the end of this series. Although hopefully they may make appearances in Ms Heath next duo of stories.

Kathy Andrico - KathysReviewCorner.com

Brilliant series conclusion. Lorraine Heath nails it again!

I found myself with a somewhat sloppy grin plastered all over my face quite a few times during the reading of this rousing tale--when I wasn't indignant or blushing. Needless to say I loved this last offering in the Sins for All Seasons series.
Althea Stanwick needs to find her way back into London society after being dropped by the denizens of the ton. She's even been given the cut direct by her awful fiancé when her father was proven to be caught up in acts of treason. From a ton 'princess' to Cinderella was a huge fall from grace for her, and her two brothers. Althea decides that power is the key to survival. How does a woman like her find power? By attaching herself to a powerful man. To do that she needs to become practiced in the art of seduction.
Althea turns to Benedict Trewlove, owner of a brothel, and known as the Beast. She chooses this man who walks on the dark side of life in the underbelly of Whitechaple London to be her teacher. What a shock for him! Don't we just love his soft heart!
As matters proceed we see how fiercely he is torn between his desire for this startling woman and the need to protect her. The tale hastens towards its climax, with Benedict's secret past and lost antecedents being revealed, adding yet another layer of fascination and mystery.
Lorraine Heath has once again produced a well tuned read set in the 1870's! I loved it and my sloppy grin grew even more pronounced, punctuated with the occasional Ooh and Aah!
I'm must add that I'm pleased to see Althea's brothers will have their own stories. Yay!

A HarperCollins ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Beauty Tempts the Beast by Lorraine Heath is a historical romance with a couple of interesting twists. The book introduces us to Althea Stanwick, who has lost everything. Her father was found guilty of treason and all three children were pushed out onto the street to survive. Althea found a job in a tavern slinging ale and drinks.

Benedict Trewlove was called Beast from a very young age. He grew up with his adopted family (all the children were adopted) and each found their source of strength from each other. Beast needed someone to teach his “ladies” proper attitude and manners. He hired Althea to teach them how to survive with safer jobs.

Benedict and Althea are both drawn to each other and find that they are very compatible, but Benedict does not want Althea to lose her chance for a good life with a husband. Althea isn’t planning on a husband, but a series of lovers who keep her is her ultimate goal. Until Althea and Benedict find out truly how compatible they are! But as always there are some serious road blocks!

I did enjoy the novel and found the two main characters interesting. I liked how Benedict had a sweet side trying to save people. As always both main characters tried to “save the other one”. Lorraine Heath added information at the end of the novel which gave the reader more insight into the times and the characters. Beauty tempts the Beast by Lorraine Heath was an interesting romantic novel.

I am in love with Lorraine Heath's writing and when I saw that the book of the mysterious and quiet Beast would be published I was eager to read. Beast doesn't disappoint and yet he stole my heart that was Finn's. Sorry, Finn, but I was seduced!

Benedict is the fifth member of the Trewlove family of bastards, always taciturn and of few words, arrives says what he needs and is already leaving. In this book, we will understand what made him the Beast he is. Lorraine presents all layers of his personality in a way that I was even more fascinated by him. A man with an altruistic heart and protective manner. He beats his eye on Althea, a waitress in his sister's tavern, and knows at once that the woman does not belong there but that she can be very useful for the purpose that he imposes on himself.

Althea is a woman tired of depending on men and after suffering almost insurmountable humiliation she decides that she needs to own her body and money. For this, she and Beast will sign an unusual agreement that does not involve friendship or passion. But...Will these two suffering souls really be able to keep this agreement without falling in love?

At first, I was kind of shocked and stuck with Thea's behavior but after she and Beast started to bond and she was stripped naked in the face of his affection I started to connect better with her.

An exciting, wonderful and touching book about self-discovery, about realizing your own worth and how to fight for it. Lorraine closes this series with jaw-dropping twists, with a surprising epilogue and with moments so sweet that they made me run to get the box of tissues (the surname Trewlove gained new outlines in this story thanks to an unforgettable Christmas. Oh my!).

I am already preparing myself psychologically for all the tension of the next duology that promises more tensions, intrigues and betrayals in addition to a lot of romance. I'm placing my bets on who will be the female protagonist.

I absolutely adored this exquisite Victorian romance!

Benedict – Beast – is the epitome of my ideal book hero. Equal parts wild Jason Momoa and refined Henry Cavill, he’s an intelligent man of the world with a heart as big as all England and shoulders wide enough to carry away all the problems that beset everyone lucky enough to be under his protection.

Thea is a readily-identifiable heroine, a woman whose life was completely shattered by her father’s actions yet she’s determined to hang on to the best of herself while finding a new path in life. I really enjoyed the way the author had Thea comparing and contrasting her former and current acquaintances, lifestyles, and moral compasses. She’s a wonderful example of feminine strength and resiliency.

Their beautiful romance would make even the most jaded cynic swoon! The story was expertly paced, giving us their growing love and passion as they discover each other’s hearts, then just as you think they’ve sailed over every hurdle, the most wonderful revelation turns out to be the most insurmountable obstacle. The first proposal was magnificent, but the second was so perfectly timed, so sublimely presented that I had to go back and reread it several times before moving on.

The way the entire Trewlove family was woven throughout this book – and added to as opportunity arose – was simply magical, drawing out the best of its characters despite having survived their Dickensian youth. My heart fairly melted at the reference to the young Trewloves’ family book club and how it probably influenced Ben’s later career. The secondary love story between Ewan and Mara in the book’s final quarter was told so briefly, yet so beautifully, and established a concrete foundation upon which Ben and Thea’s family could be built.

The author’s writing was enthralling, nimbly dancing between charming, romantic interludes and intense, commanding showdowns. Beast and Thea’s emotional journeys were precisely detailed, bringing tension, joy, grief, and hope vividly to life through characters that feel as real as lifelong friends. The use of firelight imagery was inspired, portraying Benedict as a man who would not only keep Thea’s fire burning but also give her the space and the freedom to light her own path. The insightful character studies and sophisticated vocabulary elevate this book above the standard historical romance. I especially appreciated the explanation at the end of how the author balanced her story’s fictional demands with the desire for historical accuracy.

I haven’t read the earlier books in the series (yet), but I wasn’t left hanging. This is not just a beautiful standalone, but as the last in the Trewlove family series, its epilogue, set some 36 years in the future, works as a brilliant, crowning glory for the entire family. This is the best Victorian romance I’ve read in a very long time, and I highly recommend it. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

I have loved Benedict or Beast in the previous books so I was really happy that he got his own book. He always seemed mysterious in the other books and when I read about his character in this book, I could understand him better and adored him even more. I thought Althea’s history was really intriguing and I was enjoying meeting her until she started talking about becoming a courtesan so that she could have more power over the society and other people. That just put me off her. I am glad I kept up with the book because there is a twist in the middle of the book and it brings in changes in both Benedict and Althea that made me absolutely love the story and their characters. I also thoroughly enjoyed meeting the other characters from the previous books in this series.

This is book six in "Sins for All Seasons series" but can be read as a standalone. Although, I love the previous books in this series so I will highly recommend reading it as part of the series. You will love the Trewloves. They are such an amazing family.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆☆
Beauty Tempts the Beast is the sixth and final installment in the Sins for All Seasons series. The perfect finale for the Trewlove family. I highly recommend reading the entire series from start to finish, not as standalone titles, to ensure you have the best emotional impact of the overlapping characters.

At last, we are gifted with Beast's story, and it is by far one of my favorites of the entire series.

Beast, with his large heart and quick mind, the ultimate hero protector caretaker. Once Ben sees someone as his, he takes on responsibility for them for life, and this is what drew me into the character so fiercely.

Althea, the fallen beauty to the beast. The daughter of a traitorous duke, having had her title revoked by the crown, lost her betrothed, with all of her friends quite literally turning their backs on her. Her elder brothers are attempting to clear their name, yet also saddled with Althea, in an era when women had little options of employment.

Ben spots Althea in his sister's tavern, immediately taken with her, intrigued with how someone who appears to have been reared in Mayfair is serving the working class. Having spent his entire adult life helping fallen women, Althea becomes more than his newest project. He sees her as the ultimate tutor for his women, if only he can keep to his rules... an impossible feat, that.

Althea gives Ben a run for his money before finally seeing how advantageous his offer of employment truly is, allowing her brothers to go on their quest without worrying over her.

A slow-burn, push-pull dance begins between Ben and Althea, where Ben tries to stick to his rules and his Thea begins a subtle education in seduction. They challenged one another, drew the best possible traits out of each other, beginning a true connection.

I read ravenously, unable to put the novel down, needing to know what happened next. When interrupted, I got downright snarly for being yanked from the story. I needed to follow Ben and Thea's journey.

The Trewlove family brought humor and emotion and warm and fuzzy elation. The twist near the end brought copious amounts of angst that had the pages flying by.

Lorraine Heath did an amazing job connecting all the Trewlove stories, ending it on a high note, while also leaving open threads that will have readers eager to get their hands on the duke duology, featuring Althea's brothers as they try to clear their family name.

Heat Factor: She wears a sexy red corset with black lace for seduction purposes...
Character Chemistry: The fact that it was in no way based on seduction lessons made it perfect
Plot: Ostracized former aristocratic woman accepts proposition of brothel owner (among other things) to teach the prostitutes refinement so they can get new jobs. Also, seduction lessons. Ish.
Overall: Heath is just a really good storyteller. That is all.

There were so many opportunities for Beauty Tempts the Beast to fall into common trope traps, and Heath just didn’t go there. It was so. Immensely. Satisfying.

As I try to consider what pertinent information to provide so you get where I’m coming from, here’s the plot info you need to know:
- Althea and her brothers lost everything except for a handful of things she managed to pack in a small bag when her Duke father was executed as a traitor for attempting to murder the Queen (that’s just not a good idea).
- Beast was abandoned by his mother in the home of a woman known to take in bastard children, and was raised in that close-knit family but was still socially known to be a bastard.
- Althea, having absolutely nothing and very few marketable skills, ends up working in a pub in Whitechapel, and that pub happens to be owned by Beast’s sister, so naturally Beast goes there when he wants to get his drink on.
- Beast realizes that Althea is not from around these parts, and he further realizes that she might be exactly what he needs to get the last six prostitutes living in the brothel he happens to own out of the brothel he happens to own, since he never really wanted to own a brothel in the first place.
- Althea thinks that Beast’s proposition is sexual in nature and decides to hate his guts forever, but then he rescues her and she overhears her brothers talking, so she decides to forgive him and accept his proposition, only to realize she misread that situation bigtime.
- Beast totally has the hots for Althea, so when she’s like, “Yeah, I’ll accept this oddly respectable proposition from you, but also I’m going to do life on my terms, so I’m gonna need some seduction lessons for that, which you will give me,” he has a slight existential crisis.
- Other things happen, both expected and unexpected, that further the plot.

So, you see, this is just a nice story. While there are opportunities for angst and misunderstanding or miscommunication, Heath doesn’t go the high drama route. This means we don’t get a lot of high highs, but it also means we don’t get a lot of low (slash obnoxious) lows. I was about to be ready for seduction lessons to be a thing I put in my rearview mirror, because I really honestly cannot deal with them in books without my eyes rolling practically out of their sockets...but then every time Althea was all, “Thanks for the lesson!” Beast got grumpy because it wasn’t a lesson, he just wanted to smooch, okay?! I will say about seduction lessons - have you ever noticed that the individual who’s supposed to be learning how to seduce is actually always the one who is seduced? How is that useful? Just. Sigh.

TL;DR - There’s a lot going on for both Beast and Althea in terms of personal history and how that history carries them into their futures AND how they resolve what they think the future should be like versus what they want the future to be like. But Heath never takes it too far, so these protagonists hit bumps and … work through them. Like couples do. Although I suppose most couples aren’t dealing with illegitimacy and disinheritance. Anyway, sometimes it’s not perfect, but when they finally make breakthroughs it’s super satisfying. It’s just a plain good book and artistic license or no, Heath weaves a good yarn.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

Beast has been one of my favorite’s through this series and I so loved his story. People tend to fear him due to his size. He is truly a caring person that goes out of his way to help others overcome hardships. I loved how Althea didn’t wallow like a simpering miss as a result of her circumstances. She was proactive and didn’t give up trying to find a way to make it work for herself and her brothers.

Heath is truly a master at creating heartfelt stories that wring every conceivable emotion from the reader. It sometimes feels as if I am actually on the sidelines of the scene witnessing what is taking place. Talk about being transported! The scenes with young Robin melted my heart. They speak volumes about the core values of this unique family. If ever a pair was meant to be together, it’s Benedict Trewlove and Althea Stanwick. There is a stunning surprise that leaves Beast a bit conflicted, but with Althea by his side the possibilities are endless.

As someone who has read the entire series, this epilogue had me in tears. Tears of joy for the way each sibling has found their HEA. Tears of sadness, as the stories of this incredible family are at an end. Or are they? This is hands down the worst book/series hangover I have ever experienced. I know it sounds bad, but it’s really a good thing, and I believe speaks to the talent of the author.

Readers who enjoy stories about families overcoming the odds society places on them, loving and supporting each other through it all, will adore this book and series. I highly recommend and would give the Sins for All Seasons Series 100 stars if I only could. I will be re-reading this series for a long time to come. Now about that aspirin……….

I was granted and ARC of this book and this is my unbiased review.

Loved the story. After their father, a Duke is hanged for treason, Althea and her brothers are stripped of all their possessions and she finds herself living in Whitechapel barely surviving. Along comes Benedict and her circumstances change for the better while she learns to adjust to her new circumstances. Benedict was given to Ettie Trewlove who was known to take in babies born out of wedlock and raise them. He is one of seven children who call Ettie mum. The relationship between Thea and Benedict is to the point she agreed to marry him and then he receives a life changing surprise. This is a great story that is full of emotion and wonderful characters. I loved Benedict and Thea’s story. It was a great read and I would highly recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and are voluntarily leaving a review.

And so ends the Sins for all Seasons series by Lorraine Heath - a much enjoyed series featuring the Trewlove siblings. The final book, Beauty Tempts the Beast, features Benedict (aka Beast) Trewlove following in his siblings’ footsteps and stumbling into marital bliss.

Beast has spent most of his life in Whitechapel protecting women. A series of events in his youth has seen him end up as a reluctant brothel owner - not your usual hero material. But Benedict’s true aim (after protecting these women) is to give them a second chance, to educate them in another skill and get them settled in a new profession. What he needs to help him succeed is a tutor for the women - someone to teach them how to more ladylike in their behaviour. Enter Althea Stanwick, the new barmaid at Beast’s sister’s tavern. It is obvious to Beast that Althea is quality and doesn’t belong here. Beast aims to get to know Althea and see if she is the solution to his problem.

Althea Stanwick is the daughter of the Duke of Thornley, recently convicted of treason. Her parents are dead, her home and possessions gone, and her title no more. Her two older brothers (Marcus and Griffith) are doing their best to provide for her but they are also trying to clear their family name. They know Althea will never marry well with the taint of treason hanging over them:

“I just want to regain our respectability, if not for us, then for Althea,” Marcus said. “Who would marry her as long as this pall of doubt and suspicion hangs over us? She’s the daughter of a duke. She should have her pick of suitors.”

Althea doesn’t care about marrying well - she just doesn’t want to be a burden to her brothers. So she concocts a scheme - she’ll learn the art of seduction and become a high-class courtesan and earn her own living, thus relieving her brothers of her welfare (and maybe sticking it to the aristocracy.) And when Beast comes around offering her a job as tutor to the ladies in his brothel, she strikes a deal – she’ll tutor the ladies in the womanly arts and Beast will tutor her in the bedroom arts. Beast agrees while never having any intention of teaching her; instead he plans to pay her an exorbitant amount as a tutor while hoping to convince her to change her mind about becoming a courtesan.

The first part of the story continues with this premise and, fellow readers, I just couldn’t buy it! Why in the world did Althea think this was a good plan, perhaps her only option? Her brothers are out who-knows-where trying to prove that the treason conviction was false so she and they can regain their respectability and she thinks to relieve them of their worry about her by becoming a courtesan? Just how respectable will they be with a sister who is a courtesan? Beast is paying her loads of money to tutor so she is not without other options. I was confused!

As you can surmise, Beast and Althea are attracted to each other and keep coming closer and closer to those lessons Althea is hoping for until finally, they can resist no longer. Luckily the book takes a turn for the better here, with Althea realizing she was mistaken in her ideas, and Beast and Althea looking to a possible future together. Until the real impediment to their happiness enters…

From this point forward, I was totally invested in the book. Beast is a sweetheart, truly caring for those he watches over, and offering new opportunities to the down-trodden. Like all the Trewloves, he struggles with the mystery of his origins and it was delightful to see his past revealed - he deserves a happy ending. Althea was harder to warm to because of her ridiculous plan, but as soon as she admits it isn’t a good idea, her likability increased and I started to believe she would be a good match for Beast - turns out she is pretty selfless too.

Being the final installment in the series, we had lots of time with the other Trewloves and an epilogue with happy endings for all, including Ettie. I’ve enjoyed most of the books in the series so I smiled my way through the Trewlove scenes. The end of Beauty Tempts the Beast also gives us the setup for the next Lorraine Heath series - it will be about Marcus and Griffith and their quest to clear their family name. From what we are shown, it looks promising!

So, in a perfect book world, Althea would have never concocted her courtesan plan and the story would have just been about overcoming the real impediment to her and Beast’s happiness. However, I am glad to have seen Beast get a happy ending and to have spent time with the Trewlove clan. Even with the wobbliness of the beginning of this story, fans of the series will not want to miss this final chapter with the Trewloves.

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I’ve read and enjoyed all of the books in this series and I was thrilled to see Beast’s story be the last one.

I loved Althea. She’s a little uncertain at the beginning, but quickly figures it out and goes after what she wants. Beast is all marshmallow, as I suspected. I loved reading them talk and learn about each other. Their chemistry and honesty was fantastic.

Plot wise, it was good. The build up was a slow burn and the conflict didn’t happen until I was through 3/4 of the book. I did enjoy the grand gesture, but it’s the epilogue that encompasses the entire series that really did it for me.

Overall, it was delightful reading this HEA and getting to see glimpses of everyone’s happiness. I can’t wait to read Althea’s brother’s books.

**Huge thanks to Avon for providing the arc free of charge**

For many readers, Beauty Tempts the Beast, is the book we have all been waiting for from the Sins for All Season series.
Finally, we have the story of Benedict Trewlove, also known as Beast. Although Beast is huge, he does not earn his nickname the way you might think. He is knows as Beast for a reason rarely discussed in HR.
A young woman, obviously in fear and promising to return in a few days, dropped the Beast off into the tender care of baby farmer Ettie Trewlove. Baby farming was one of the more heinous practices in Victorian London. Mothers or fathers brought their by-blows to women who were usually paid a lump sum to “care” for the child. Sometimes the child made it to an orphanage. Usually the baby farmer murdered the child outright or let the child die. The aristocrats usually preferred door number two.
Ettie decided to raise and love the five children brought to her. Fourteen years later Ettie gave birth to her own daughter. The other children have known their parentage, except for Beast. He has always felt forgotten.
One night Beast is hanging out at the pub his sister owns and spots that one of the new barmaids is obviously an aristocrat, and a true fish out of water.
The two youngest children of a duke, Althea (Thea) Stanwick and her brother were ejected from their home in the middle of the night. After the humiliating end to their aristocratic way of life, they were forced to move to Whitechapel and find work. They lost money, prestige and titles.
Beast devises a plan that would help him finally close a the brothel that he never wanted. he only owned the building to keep the women safe. He would need Thea’s help in preparing the women for new lives.
Thea conceives an audacious and shocking plan that would result in her claiming some of the power she lost. She has decided to never again be at the mercy of men, including Beast. But the plans are perfect for them to aid themselves and each other. Of course there is heat between them. Heat they try so hard to resist.
Thea is a fascinating woman; she conceives her plan in order to return to her rightful world, even as she learned to hate it. Thea also took a long look at her behavior toward others and found out there was more than one kind of shame.
Beast and Thea both conceived original plans, but then much of Heath’s writing is refreshing as it encompasses aspects of the aristocracy HR’s usually ignore.
Heath always writes intriguing characters with a large dose of heart.
As this is the last Trewlove book, all of the previous brothers and sister made their appearances. The Trewloves will probably pop up in two other books featuring Thea’s brothers.
Beauty Tempts the Beast ends with a lovely epilogue, set 37 years in the future when the Trewlove family gather. It is there that a sweet secret Ettie has been keeping for 25 years is revealed, saucy minx that she is.
I can’t really think of a discordant note, in Beauty Tempts the Beast. The writing, plot and characters are all like Thea’s former life, first class.
Thank you to NetGalley for an Arc. The opinion in the review are all my own.

I love the Trewlove siblings but Beast has a special place. Beast is so used to caring for others and making sure everyone is ok, his story did not disappoint. My heart melted when he called Althea beauty. I’m a sucker for a beauty and the beast romance. Althea is a former lady who was outcast and was forced to give up her former life, Althea meets Beast at the bar she is working and their relationship flourishes from there. This story did not disappoint the Trewlove siblings are the best.

Beauty and the beast trope – yes, please. The characters in this story come to life. The respect that Beast shows for women is due to his bringing up by a wonderful mother. This lovely tale of Beauty (Althea) and Beast (Benedict) and their growing love is so well told and intriguing that I had a hard time putting the book down. The strength that is flowing through these two characters and his siblings is beautiful. I love these feel good stories. I cannot say enough about how much I loved reading this story.

The series finale!!!! It was so great to get Thea and Beasts story. Full of witty banter and passion..I loved it and I love the Trewloves!! There was the gaggle of family all around and large amount of passion too which warms my soul in a book. Beasts character is so smart, strong and kind. He and Thea were made for each other and I was THERE FOR IT!!!

*Many thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions are mine.*

I love a historical romance, and when I want some quirk and whimsy there are certain authors I reach for, but when I want brooding and angst BOY OH BOY does Lorraine Heath deliver the goods. This is the last book in a series that I admittedly have not read. This turned out to be a non-issue because she provides a lot of context, but I will definitely go back and read the others now.

Our heroine is Althea Stanwick, the now-penniless daughter of a traitorous Lord. Our hero Benedict Trewlove was "born on the wrong side of the blanket" but has found some success in the shipping trade and operates a safer place for sex workers to conduct their business affairs. Benedict needs a tutor to teach fancy-lady skills to the remaining women in the brothel, and Miss Stanwick wants to learn to seduce her way back into Society, so we've got ourselves a deal.

I don't see this in most historicals but I was pleasantly surprised on how the book reflected on power and privilege during the time period -- from being born a "bastard," to losing one's fortune, to the power dynamics between the sexes. In our ever-changing world there are fewer and fewer excuses for completely eschewing social consciousness, and I appreciated the effort that the author made to point out the inequalities and toxic masculinity that women face.

I can't say enough good things about the characters in this book. Althea's resilience was incredible to witness. I appreciated how Benedict grappled with his parentage without letting it define him. He also had a fairly stormy personality, but not so much so that it turned him into a big jerk. The side characters were minimally developed but enjoyable additions. I would have loved to see a few more fully developed "lesson" scenes with the ladies. I also could've done without Benedict's "reveal" about why he's called "Beast". It was basically a non-issue and I didn't really feel like it added to the narrative other than to check a box.

The chemistry between the two main characters was absolutely 🔥🔥🔥. This is a real strength of Ms. Heath's, and she absolutely did not disappoint. Her tension management skills are perfection, never letting it fall below a simmer, and knowing just the right times to crank it up to a full boil. This thing is chock-full of broody longing. I was up LAAAAATE several nights in a row because "ok just one more chapter..." The "twist" happened at just the perfect moment, right as I was thinking to myself "surely it won't wrap up this cleanly but what are we going to do for the last 24% of this book?" The conclusion was predictable but in that good way that historical romance conclusions almost always are.

While I hadn't read the first 5 of this 6 part series, it did not stop me from thoroughly enjoying this story. If you like a broody/angsty historical romance with chemistry at a full boil and a small side of social consciousness, I can all but guarantee you will enjoy it. I give this book 5/5 stars.

This book caps off a six book series and I hadn't read any of the previous five. While it was clear that I would have felt more connected with the cast of characters had I read the previous stories, this is entirely readable as a stand alone.

It's not my favorite. It's fine. It's a perfectly nice historical - woman who has lost her place in society strikes a bargain with a man whose family has mostly married into the nobility. Or something. There were moments when it sparked for me, but not enough that I really <i>cared</i>. This may say more about my frame of mind reading it, but it's a solid meh from me.

Heath mentions a few things at the beginning of the book and doesn't come back to them until near the end. Throughout I kept wondering if those things were going to be forgotten, but they weren't. I was expecting more breadcrumbs/reminders of those things.

I liked the characters and the prose, but somehow it failed to really grab hold of my interest.

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

⭐⭐
Oh lordy. It's a story about a kind, respectful, heart-of-gold.... pimp. 🙄

So, I'm not with the premise - kindly pimp helps down-on-her-luck aristocrat. It's my first novel by this author, so I'm missing the context of the prior 5 books.

If you haven't read the first five, you CAN read this one, but I imagine you won't enjoy it as much as the die-hard Trewlovers. There's a lot of checking in with the prior 5 couples. All five. A lot. There's also a fair amount of set up for the next two books. The story is in-between all that.

Like many, I tend to focus on characters when I read books. Here, we have Beast (Ben) who is a likeable, consistent but unbelievable character. He's a pimp. I know he keeps saying he isn't, but he owns the building they live and work in and protects them from baddies. But he's not their pimp because doesn't take any money from them and feeds them all. See? Unbelievable.

Our heroine is Althea, who is not terribly likeable or consistent, but more believable. She's a rich, entitled aristocrat who was about to marry when her whole life falls apart. She's penniless, but finds out how to be a person by being poor. I'm not here for this kind of narrative. Don't make poor people godly, sainted folks. Just give them more money.

Her life-long dream of being a mistress to control and manipulate men is something we hear about for the first time, with no prior hint, about 30% in... It was a little out of the blue. Then she throws over that dream when she realizes she just wants to be a wife and mother. Then she gives that up because "society", then we go back around again. Sorry, spoilers.

This was not for me. It wasn't bad, but not for me. I thought the author explained privilege and class fairly well, but from the privileged POV. If you like stories with a lot of convulsed things getting people together and taking them apart, and you want to read a story about straight, white people, this might be for you.

#BeautyTemptstheBeast #NetGalley

If you enjoyed the earlier books about the Trewlove orphans who were all raised by a foster mother in Victorian England to achieve financial success and true love, you’ll enjoy this new entry.

Here we have the heroine, the daughter of a disgraced duke who, for some reason, joined a plot to kill the Queen. So Althea and her two brothers have lost everything and are living in abject poverty. She’s working in a tavern where she encounters Benedict Trewlove, better known as Beast. He’s the one unmarried Trewlove brother who has grown into a huge man physically and also by reputation. He’s also made his own shipping fortune while also providing protection for ladies in a brothel.

Of course, he’s immediately attracted to Althea and she returns the interest. As they get to know each other, they become more deeply attached until Benedict finds out her secrets and discovers his own mysterious past.

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.