I truly enjoyed reading this book, from the character of Beauty, to the lush descriptions and so called whimsy. As a person with her head in the clouds most days, I identified with Beauty, creating fantastical situations and slipping in to another persona at the drop of a hat. This lovely retelling of the Beauty and the Beast tale drew me in because this Beauty was deeper, we see her thoughts and ideas, and a woman who is willing to open herself up despite the harms that have befallen her in the past. She is a woman who is not there simply to fall in love. She makes a friend first, before becoming more. I would have loved it if it were even longer, but the book followed the plot lines with a satisfying conclusion. I rate this book 4 stars. It was cozy, but not Earth shattering, a wonderful story for those looking for a more robust version of the fairy tales of their youth.

I love Beauty and the Beast! It is one of my favorite retellings! This was a darker and more mature story! I loved the characters, especially Beauty. I recommend this for fans of fairy tale retellings!

*Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own*

This is one of those books you read when you want a quick read and since it's a retelling, it doesn't require much effort, since you're already used to the story.
I love the retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I think it's one of my favorite fairy tales, if not my favorite, so I really enjoyed reading this story.
I like seeing how different authors bring the elements of this story to life. I think the author did a good job. It's not a bad book, it's not the best book, and it's not the best retelling, but if you like this type of story, you'll enjoy this book.
Just be careful because there are mentions of abuse throughout the story.
I think the author managed to give the story her original touch without losing the essence of the original story.

A good Beauty and the Beast re-telling. I love that we get to know Beauty from flashbacks. The writing was very well done with some beautiful interactions between Beauty and the Beast. Their healing and learning to trust was very true to the original story. I felt like the story was over too quickly for me to really get invested in the characters story together. I wanted more time with them. I wanted the characters to become strong & confident like the 90's Disney characters I love so much. A quick, enjoyable and easy read.

This book ended up not being one of my favorites but I can see the appeal. It seemed a little draggy in my opinion but I'm sure there's an audience out there for this book.

Well, I was in the middle of writing a long beautiful review when Goodreads kicked me off the app so I’m just going to be quick this time. This novel was lovely and lyrical and’s I still want to fall in love with a beast.

A Beauty and the Beast retelling is always fun, and this one tries hard to keep the fairytale going while diving into a difficult subject - sexual assault. Beauty has issues. Beast has them. And everyone is trying to move forward in a messy life.

Thank you Shadow Mountain Publishing for the eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own!

First off, I want to acknowledge my mood has been down so I feel like this book was not as good because of my mood not because of its contents. I love fairy tale retellings and this one was great! I enjoyed the unique parts of this story. However, there were certain parts that I had a hard time following. However, like I realize this could just be me. It is a shorter novel though I felt like there was a lot of content which I liked. It did not feel short. The characters where unique but familiar which I also really enjoyed since retellings are very often done. It did not feel like I was just reading Belle from Beauty and the Beast.

Beauty Reborn is a Beauty and the Beast retelling that mixes fantasy with reality. It has a regency feel in a fantasy world. Beauty is the youngest in her family and she doesn't want to attract Stephan's notice. Yet still he wants her to marry him. She doesn't realize his intentions until it is too late. However, when her father comes home with tales of a beast. She jumps at the chance to escape and possibly be reborn.

Read if you enjoy:
Fairy tale Retellings
Romance
Character development
Short Novels

Fairytale retellings are always so fun to read. I love getting a fresh perspective on my favorite classic tales. I absolutely loved this reimagining of Beauty and the Beast and would absolutely recommend.

This Beauty and the Beast retelling focuses on the relationship between beauty and her past trauma. She is learning to trust and love again after being raped. It is much more than a story of looking past appearances but also of treating others with gentleness and kindness. It is a love story where both people have made mistakes and learn to move past their mistakes.

Title: Beauty Reborn

Author: Elizabeth Lowham


Ch: 19 plus epilogue


Pg: 200

Genre: Fantasy fairy retelling


Rating: 4.5 stars


Publisher: Shadow Mountain


Beauty Reborn is the hardest Beauty and the Beast retelling that I’ve read. But it’s the one that’s the most important. As it gives a twist on the reason Beauty went to the beast castle in her father’s place. She’s running from the someone. And just like the Disney version the reader will quickly she who’s the real beast in the story. My heart broke for Beauty. I’m glad that read this one. Trigger warning for sexual assault off page though it’s mentioned, and the aftermath is talked about.



I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Beauty Reborn is a wonderful retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I loved the focus on who the "beast" really was. It emphasized the need to look past appearances. I appreciated the content warning but was impressed by how well Elizabeth Lowham handled the difficult topic. Unfortunately, this is all too common of an occurrence in today's world. This is an important book to read because it brings a well-loved fairy tale into a conversation about inappropriate behavior and how to deal with surviving a horrible ordeal.

As in the original story, Beauty's father is caught taking a rose without permission from a Beast. Prior to the book's beginning, Beauty was sexually assaulted by her former suitor. Longing to be gone from this world, she jumps at the chance to take her father's place as the Beast's prisoner.. When she arrives, however she is surprised to find that the Beast is not the horror he was made out to be. In fact, he turns out to be shy and smitten with her. The castle’s enchantments and amazing library begin to make her feel at home. As the two get to know each other, Beauty starts to teach Beast to read. Together, the two heal from past traumas. Will this be both of their’s happily ever after?

A touching retelling of Beauty and the Beast, the plot is more character-driven, but well written. The characters are likable and more realistic. The world build is well-done and reminiscent of the original story. Fans of retold fairy tales, Beauty and the Beast stories, and fantasy will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections.

When Beauty's father comes home in debt to a beast in the forest she takes his place at the Beast's castle without hesitation. She feels it better to be devoured by a beast then to be forced into a marriage to a different monster. Can Beauty find her worth again after feeling like everything was taken from her? And what role will the beast play in her new world?

I absolutely loved this retelling, even though I went in sceptical. I didn't think there was much room in my heart for Beauty and the Beast retellings after A Court of Thorns and Roses, but Beauty Reborn holds it's own in less than half the page count. Beast is well written and the banter between him and Beauty help you fall in love right along with her. Beauty's growth throughout the novel is a great testament to women working through trauma and how it's not always a forward journey. Backslides are inevitable and the author handles these moments with a truth the reader can resonate with.

5 stars and a heavy recommendation for Beauty Reborn. Recommended for readers who enjoy true retellings with new twists while staying true to well known material. Age range 12+ as nothing graphic is on the page. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

An interesting retelling of Beauty and the Beast but not my style. More fantasy than I anticipated and just a book I couldn't fall in love with as much as I wanted to.

Like many readers, I love a good version of Beauty and the Beast, and Beauty Reborn by Elizabeth Lowham is one of my new favorites. With an angry, traumatized Beauty and a gentle, careful Beast, it's an aching mixture of darkness and whimsy that struck all the right notes for me.

When Beauty takes her father's place as the Beast's prisoner, she hopes to find a fearsome beast who will devour her. Instead, she find a shy and sensitive young man under a spell who is just as much a prisoner as she, forced to remain a beast until someone agrees to marry him. From him, she learns the value of silence, and in his home, she finds freedom from past demons. But how can she break his enchantment and grant him the same freedom when her heart is full of doubt?

First, I loved Beauty and her growth from sardonic girl who talks without listening and revels in her own cleverness to a compassionate young woman who listens for the truth between words. From the first (and even earlier — from the book description), it's clear that Beauty is a survivor of sexual assault, and flashbacks throughout the book reveal how she was courted and then betrayed by the charismatic but cruel Stephan. The assault itself is not described, thankfully, but it's effect on Beauty, her shame and self-blame, her fury and her fear of letting another man close only to find he's not who she thought he was, is central to the story, as is her journey to healing.

The Beast is just as skittish as Beauty at first, though for different reasons, and their tentative friendship and romance unfolds through long afternoons in the library (is a Beauty and the Beast retelling complete without one?) as she teaches him to read and they share ever larger pieces of themselves. Whether they're discussing philosophy or playing pirates, their interactions are utterly charming, and the growing care they take for each other's hearts is equally so. Through her, he learns to be playful, and through him, she learns patience. In Beauty's own words, "If I am Whimsy, you are Fortitude." They complement each other's strengths and weaknesses with grace and mutual respect.

I would definitely recommend this for fans of the Beauty and the Beast story (and even for fans of the Disney classic), but be aware it comes with trigger warnings for depression and discussion of past sexual assault and abuse. While I wouldn't characterize any of it as graphic, the portrayal of Beauty's trauma is very emotional, so take care and don't read if you aren't in the right space for it. If you are up for it, however, you will be rewarded with a beautiful story of healing and self-acceptance, with a sweet love story and whimsical humor to lighten the darkness.

My thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I believe most every book has something to offer. I got about 3/4 into this one and it wasn’t for me. It follows the story of Beauty and the Beast pretty closely with a few darker twists. Our Beauty is getting through the trauma of sexual assault (CW/TW: vague rape depiction) and her journey of healing on the page. The flashbacks were a bit distracting, even though I knew it helped explain the background of Beauty. I may try it again at some point, but for now, I’m putting it down and moving on.

I enjoyed this Beauty and the Beast Retelling. I liked that it kept that basic outline of the fairy tale but then it gave us a deeper meaning for why Beauty chose to stay with the Beast. I liked seeing both the Beast and Beauty deal with their different issues together and find healing as they became friends and learned what real love is. I thought the story was really good and would be one I would recommend someone read who wants a good fairy tale retelling.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this novel.
This took me so long to read. I did like it but it felt very generic, almost like I read something like it before. That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it though because I did very much.

I love this retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It essentially is Bell is trapped in a terribly abusive relationship with a man she is to marry. Since this is expected of her and is what her family needs. Then it is very much the normal Beauty and the Beast story we all know and love. A few more added details and moments have been changed, but the most changed part is the reason for staying with the Beast. On top of that I do like the characterization of Beauty and Beast -- it is different than most stories which is refreshing.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this book!