Member Reviews
I cried when I finished this sweet story. I hadn't read anything else in this series yet, but absolutely want to after this!
I read a ton of historical romance and this was so well done, cheeky, and warm hearted such a fun retelling of Beauty and the Beast.
Each character was vividly drawn, and uniquely interesting in their own right. This could be one of my favorite romance reads this year easily.
I will say Ben's reversal of fortune was a little unrealistic but I couldn't care less it didn't take me out of the story.
3.5 stars. I don't know if it was me but this book just didn't grab me. That said, Heath does her usual smooth job bringing us the story of her last Trelowe sibling. Mostly I didn't feel like Beast's story brought anything new to the series but as a book to read in an afternoon, Heath doesn't disappoint. People who have followed this series from the beginning will definitely want to read this to get that feeling of series completion.
I really enjoyed this book! I'm not super familiar with the Trewloves, but I didn't feel like I had to be too be able to fully appreciate this story! Althea and her brothers have been turned away from society due to their father's plot against the queen. I love that Althea was a strong woman, willing to do what she needed to help her family even though it meant putting herself in "unsavory" situations. At the tavern she works at, she meets Beast (Benedict Trewlove) and he is immediately intrigued by her. I like that he wanted to protect her innocence as long as possible while at the same time she knew exactly what she wanted. It's a quick and satisfying read with the biggest obstacle occurring AFTER the main characters fall in love, which is a nice change!
The last of the Trewlove's to meet their match.
This is the last of the original Trewlove family to meet their match. Beast is the contemplative, writer, who ironically got his nickname from his fists (and other physical feature). Benedict is lonely and I think Lorraine Heath really managed to capture his complete character. Althea, no longer Lady Althea, is now ostracized from society and ends up in the Trewlove realm.
What I liked?
How equally matched Thea and Benedict were in first their loneliness and their rejections. Their strength comes from inside and how they overcome obstacles. Their chemistry is instant and sensual and yet they really build a relationship and friendship. I read this immediately after reading The Earl Takes a Fancy and felt like this book really found its own voice and was a proper send off to a fabulous Trewlove series.
Highly recommend for a very satisfying read. Their compatibility leaps off the page.
We open the first chapter with "beasts"/Benedict's as a baby being dropped off to Ettie Trewolves who cares for unwanted children (babies born out of wedlock). It's a sad first chapter but is key to who Benedict is and becomes.
Beast and Thea meet when she's a barmaid at the Mermaid and Unicorn. He becomes intrigued and realizes that she doesn't belong in this rough and offensive atmosphere. Beast believes that she is a lady and isn't part of his world. They strike up a conversation and he frequents the bar often. As time passes he proposes to Thea that she help teach woman manners and training in a certain vocation. The woman live in a brothel under Ben's protection, he is just there to provide a "safe environment". He believes she can help them find a new life and move on and he can shut down the building. But Thea has a proposition for Beast, she wants him to teach her how to become a seductress. Beast was right that Thea isn't part of his world, Thea has been expelled from society as her family has been accused of treason so her life there is over. Hence her desire to find a way to provide for herself. They agree to a three month timetable.
The two have chemistry from day one and the more time they spend together the attraction and feelings intensify. As time passes there are new revelations about Thea and Ben that cause some shift in their relationship and each have to face some tough decisions individually and as a pair.
I really liked Ben, even in past books he was this big teddy bear. His character evolves and at times a little off but all in all my favorite. Thea wasn't my favorite heroine of LC. I found her somewhat wishy washy and somewhat off putting at times.
Their love story was a rollercoaster but sweet and definitely had a happy ending. I loved the epilogue!! The story line was good and pacing was good as well.
Lorraine Heath never fails to being the feels and make my cry. This book was no exception. What a wonderful installment in the series. It was heartfelt and passionate from beginning to end.
This was my first book by Lorraine Heath and I absolutely loved it! Benedict was everything that a hero should be. I wasn’t expecting him to be so rough and as equally gentle. It made for such a swoony, dreamy character. He felt so much and the way he felt about Thea made my heart burst. And I just adored her so much. I could truly feel the pain of her predicament throughout the story and I loved how she grew as a woman. She really came to appreciate everything she had had as an aristocrat. The way her views changed of common people really made me connect to her and love her as a character. The ending nearly broke my heart because by that point I was so invested in these two being together. The entire story surrounding the family was so strong even though I’ve only read the last book. That truly attests to what a fabulous author Heath is. The epilogue was perfect, but I was so sad once it ended. This is a family I could read about forever. I cannot wait for Thea’s brothers’ stories!!
Sad to see this is the last book in this great series Lorraine Heath has written but as usual she does not disappoint and possibly delivers the best story yet in the series. I love the character of Beast and the woman Althea who catches his interest is an excellent match for him. I do not retell the story like so many reviewers do because it ruins it but I will say do not miss this one!. I am going to reread the whole series again because it is just that good. Now the wait begins for Lorraine's next book and I am definitely looking forward to it.
This was a good conclusion to Heath’s Sins for all Seasons series. I love the Trewlove family, and this novel does a great job of weaving Beast’s romance with showing the family’s happily ever after too. There’s even a future epilogue, though it was a bit cheesy.
Thea and Beast (Ben) have a sweet romance, despite most of it taking place in a former brothel. I always like it when the hero knows that he loves their heroine and will do whatever it takes to make her happy and keep her in his life. He cares so much, and he does not try to override Thea but instead gives her the tools to feel good about herself.
The novel also sets up the next books about Thea’s brothers.
I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley in return for a fair review
I really enjoyed this book. It had its imperfections (I’m sorry, but a guy who lives in a brothel and never sampled the goods? He just does it out of the goodness of his heart? He’s still accepted in society? Hogwash!) but the writing was excellent and the chemistry was believable. The love scenes were steamy and seamless. And love developed between two characters you come to care about.
Loved both character in this book! I've read a lot by this author, and this is one of Lorraine Heath's better books, for sure!
This was a really good story, I really enjoyed the lessons of refinement, because it gave glimpse into what the ladies of that time period had to do. I really enjoyed the lessons of a certain beauty from the beast.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Beauty Tempts The Beast by Lorraine Heath is the story of Althea, the daughter of a Duke. After learning a terrible family secret, she loses everything she has and must work in the “slums” of London. There, she is taken into protection by “Beast” Benedict Trewlove, royalty to the slums.
Lorraine Heath is one of my favorite romance authors, and I never miss on of her books, because they are always so well written, this one is no exemption. I have loved this series on the Trewloves and feel like each book gets better
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Beauty Tempts The Beast, by Lorraine Heath, is available at booksellers on 9-29-2020. Beauty is book 6 in Ms. Heath's Sins for All Seasons series. I'm giving a rare, for me, 5 stars. I liked our couple from page 1..
Benedict (Beast) and Thea (his beauty) are not your typical society couple. Beast has had a tough life, it wasn't pretty at all. He's got enough baggage to squash a donkey. He takes a long time to work it out, poor guy. The best thing is his adopted family, they're all so great despite their beginnings. Mrs. Trewlove took in children to raise herself, unwanted or by-blows abandoned to her care. She's a terrific mother, they should all be so nice and caring. Thea 's life started out great, spoiled and without a care in the world. When it all went pear shaped she found enough backbone to take care of herself. She learned how the other half survived and thrived. She's a likeable lady and I was so glad that things turned out great for them both.
#LorraineHeath #Netgalley #BeautyTemptsTheBeast #SinsForAllSeasons #historicalromance #romance #HarperCollinsPublishers #Avon
Benedict “Beast” Trewlove was raised in a family of abandoned children. He’s lived his life on the dark side of London, providing protection for women with his reputation and his fists. Once addressed as “lady,” Miss Althea Stanwick’s life has taken a drastic turn…leaving her penniless and cast out of society. When Beast approaches her with a job offer, Althea has conditions of her.
This is the sixth and final book in the Sin For All Seasons series. While this book can be read alone, it is enriched by the family connections established throughout the series. I thought this was one of the better books in the group, although I still like #5 best.
I loved Ben/Beast! He’s my favorite type of hero: hard on the outside, marshmallow on the inside. I wanted to jump in the book and give him a big hug every time he was emotionally vulnerable. I liked Thea too. From aristocrat to pauper, she wasn’t whiny or helpless. I loved that she treated others with the kindness that wasn’t shown when her status changed.
Lorraine Heath does class difference novels better than most authors. She also seems to have a way with timing and flow. Every time I was starting to get frustrated about missing information or a reveal, it would be right there in the next few pages. I appreciate the reader notes at the end of the book, and am excited for the next book duo about Thea’s brothers…I’m glad we readers won’t be left hanging!
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #BeautyTemptsTheBeast #NetGalley
***I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review. ***
Beauty Tempts the Beast is perfection written on page. I loved every twist and turn of this story! This book can be read as a standalone book, but the series is phenomenal. Both main characters are written with such depth that you can almost close your eyes and see the story take place in front of you. The chemistry between Beast and Althea was perfect. Together, our hero and heroine find love, family, and a life beyond what either could have ever imagined. They also find that not everything in life happens the way you see it because others play a hand in what you are dealt.
Overall, Lorraine Heath is a true storyteller and this book was so much fun to read! I read a lot of romance, and this one really stands out for being one that I want to savor, and read again.
What a beautiful ending to this series. I haven’t been a fan of all books in this series; I didn’t even finish the first book (I’m over revenge plots). But I feel each book in the series has been better than the previous one, and this one was the best of all. Beautifully written, wonderful characters, and one of my favorite epilogues ever.
Lorraine Heath's final Trewlove novel exceeds all expectations. She saved the best for last, The Beast finds his Beauty in his sister's tavern. Life has not been kind to Althea Stanwick, but with Benedict Trewlove' s guidance she discovers a way of life and love she never knew existed.
Thea and Ben were a charming pair and ultimately, this was a warm, satisfying read with plenty of good moments. That said, the various subplots felt a bit disjointed to the point of distraction, and the conflict between Thea and Ben near the end seemed like a fairly half-hearted attempt to introduce drama to a post-delarations-of-love couple.
This book had me laughing one minute and crying the next. It’s about two people who have had to deal with what life has thrown them. After being with each other they change their outlook and what they saw for their future. It’s full of strong characters with family love and a steamy romance.