A little slow to start, but it picked up the pace about a third of the way in. I enjoyed this gender-swapped spin on Beauty and the Beast with it's mix of fairy tale elements and modern language. It was a bit heavy-handed with the symbolism, but overall the story was enjoyable.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

This book was SO HARD TO FOLLOW! I had no idea who the characters were/where this story was going for the first 75% of the book. I expected more of a romance between two characters based on the description but the FMC and MMC had hardly any interaction and the ending was very rushed.

A Beauty and the Beast fairytale retelling with a twist! Now, I’m a sucker for Beauty and the Beast retellings and I will always pick up one I come across, but I’ve never read anything quite like this before.

Beastly Beauty tells the tale as old as time but from swapped viewpoints. In this story the female is the Beast, and the male is the Beauty. I thought it was brilliant of Jennifer Donnelly to write the story swapping the gender roles. It’s what most intrigued me about the book and it’s something I’ve never seen done before.

I loved the concept of this book. I appreciated how this book gave you a backstory from each of the characters own perspectives. You see the diversity Arabella is faced with being a woman in her time period. You see the challenges Beau must cope with being a poor member of society. Throughout the book you see more and more of their past and the choices that led them to get to where they have gotten. It really humanized them to me and made me understand them better. I also really enjoyed how the story dived deep into the exploration of human emotion and the effect that can have on us and those around us. I found the books exploration of the good, the bad, and the ugliest parts of us fascinating. It brought to light how the dark things we tell ourselves in the corners of our minds and how the way we see ourselves can so strongly influence how our own stories are told.

While I did feel the book was a bit slow paced in the beginning, it picked up pace about halfway through the book. The ending was very satisfying and well done. The message it was trying to send was beautiful. This truly is a unique spin to the classic fairytale while still managing to stay true to the original story we all know and love.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who also loves fairytale retellings and empowering feelings.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Scholastic Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Jennifer Donnelly once again proves her prowess in redefining classic fairy tales with a dark twist in "Beastly Beauty," a mesmerizing retelling of Beauty and the Beast that delves into themes of identity, acceptance, and the power of love. If you love Disney retellings, especially ones where roles are swapped, you will definitely enjoy this book. I absolutely loved the perspective of a “Beast” that is a woman in this book. The gender-reversed retelling of Beauty and the Beast is a refreshing take on a beloved classic, with Arabella embodying the beastly traits typically associated with the male protagonist. Through her journey of self-discovery, you are reminded of the importance of embracing one's true self, flaws and all, which is a message that is extremely important for teen readers. Donnelly’s writing managed to bring a whole new life to “Beauty and the Beast” in a way I have never seen before in a YA book.

Arabella is a delightful mix of intelligence, refinement, and emotional depth. Trapped in a castle with a mysterious curse, she grapples with her inner turmoil while facing earth-shattering tragedies and uncovering secrets hidden within the castle walls. Donnelly's rich symbolism and magical realism create a captivating narrative that kept me invested the entire time as I wanted to learn more about Arabella and her curse. The dynamic chemistry between Arabella and Beau made the book even more enjoyable. Their witty banter add layers of intrigue to the story. Donnelly expertly explores their burgeoning connection amidst danger and deception. I found the story to be absolutely enchanting while also so much fun to read.

While the story’s plot is sometimes slow-paced, the exceptional character development more than makes up for the pace as I was extremely invested in the characters and their growth. Arabella's transformation from rebellious youth to resigned acceptance is heartbreakingly portrayed, while Beau's evolution from a witty thief to a compassionate ally is equally compelling.

"Beastly Beauty" is not just a fairy tale retelling; it's a thought-provoking exploration of societal expectations, gender roles, and the complexity of human nature. Whether you're a fan of fairy tale retellings or simply looking for a story with depth and heart, this book is sure to enchant and inspire.

Omg I loved this book so much without giving too much away the whole gender swap was amazing a female beast so good. I loved that the love interest initially didn’t want to start just like in the Disney movie but comes around. The fractured fairytale series is amazing and I’m so honored that I got to read and review this book because beauty and the beast is still my favorite Disney movie to date and my moms

The formatting for kindle was messed up. I did not read. Leaving five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for the ARC.

Thanks to Netgalley and Scholastic for the arc!

Definitely a fun gender reversed retelling. I’d rate this more as a young YA geared towards high school age. Great self empowerment message in here. The plot was unique, I loved the personification of Arabella’s emotions. Really well constructed.

My only criticism is that the reader is hit by a TON of characters in the beginning and each has their own plot line. So while the reader is trying to figure out the big mystery of the castle’s curse they’re also trying to juggle which character goes with which subplot. Around the 45% mark the plot gets a really strong foothold and takes off from there. Definitely a good read.

Mark your calendars for May 2024 for the release!

I’m a sucker for retelling of classic Fairytales especially, Beauty and the Beast. With the idea of the roles reversed and the raw story that comes from this I jump in super excited to read this book.
The only way to tame the beast is to set her free.
The idea of a gender swapped retelling of The Beauty and the Beast was something that attracted me to the story. I love when authors take classic fairytales and add their own little spin on it.
Jennifer Donnelly is for sure one of those rare authors that takes a beloved story and always leaves you with a lasting impression that follows you long after you finish reading the last page.
We meet Beau, the belle character of our story, and Arabella, the beast of our story, trapped in Arabella’s cursed castle. She turns into a beast at the stroke of midnight and Beau is determined to uncover the truth behind the beasts origins and way to leave the castle alive.
What I loved about this story is the chemistry between our two lead characters. Beau is a thief with a witty attitude and Arabella is an intelligent socially repressed sophisticated woman who is hiding a dark secret.
As this story unfolds I started to fall in love with these characters and hope they find a way to break this curse that could end them all.
It did have its moments of being sluggish at times but they were over in a blink and jumped right into the central theme of this story which is, embracing your emotions and fighting for the life you want to live.
Arabella for sure had my heart aching with the time period she lived in. Being a woman and seen as an accessory instead of a living breathing human being. Beau for sure had a way of helping her fight to forgive herself. For holding herself back from finding her own voice.
Overall this book for sure was about a 4 star read for me. Again I just love how Jennifer is able to leave a lasting impression on you with her fairytale retellings. This book I would for sure recommend to anyone who loves retellings of fairytales and deep resonating lessons.


Thanks to the folks at NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. Y’all are the best. My review is a honest reflection of my feelings towards this book.

This book is a captivating retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast story. Filled with magic, mystery, and a touch of romance, this book will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
The story follows Arabella, a young debutante who is struggling to fit into the expectations of society. Her parents want her to be meek and compliant, but Arabella can't suppress her fiery nature. When her attempts to control her emotions backfire, she is cursed and trapped in a castle with her family and servants.
What makes this book stand out from other retellings is the exploration of what it truly means to be 'beastly.' Arabella is not physically transformed into a beast, but her curse is a reflection of her inner turmoil. She is considered beastly because she is passionate, ambitious, and unapologetically herself. In a society that values docile women, Arabella's strong-willed nature is seen as a threat.
The character development in this book is exceptional. Arabella starts off as a rebellious and headstrong young woman, but as the years pass, she becomes resigned to her fate and loses hope. This change is heartbreaking to witness, but it also adds depth to her character. Beau, the handsome thief who enters the castle, also goes through a transformation as he learns to trust and love again. The chemistry between Arabella and Beau is palpable, and their relationship grows organically throughout the story.
The writing in Beastly Beauty is enchanting and lyrical, making it a pleasure to read. Donnelly weaves a spellbinding tale with vivid descriptions and rich world-building. The castle itself is almost a character in its own right, with its mysterious ladies-in-waiting and malevolent presence lurking in its corridors.
At its core, Beastly Beauty is a story about learning to love and accept oneself, flaws and all. It also tackles important themes such as societal expectations, gender roles, and the power of love. Donnelly's message is clear: there is nothing 'beastly' about being true to yourself and following your dreams. I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages.

Thank you NetGalley, Scholastic Press, and Jennifer Donnelly for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! I’ve read books by this author before and LOVED them, plus Beauty and the Beast was my favorite Disney movie as a kid, so I immediately requested this one. And it did not disappoint! I loved this one - the prose was beautiful, the changes were well-made, and the romance felt real. I couldn’t put it down honestly and read it in one day. If you like Beauty and the Beast, Disney retellings, YA romance novels, and more, be sure to pick this one up!

<blockquote>The curse is her fault -- after all, there's nothing more "beastly" than a girl who expresses her anger -- and the only way to break it is to find a boy who loves her for her true a cruel task for a girl who's been told she's impossible to love.</blockquote>

Beastly Beauty is a reverse gendered retelling of Beauty and the Beast following our beast Arabella and our beauty Beau.
I enjoyed the overall theme of this book, encouraging women to embrace themselves for all of their emotions and passions, not just the traits that would make them appealing for possible partners. The ladies of Arabella's court being her negative emotions (rage, shame, fear) personified and all of her positive emotions seemingly missing was a very fun concept. I felt like the characters themselves were well written and enjoyable. I did not on the other hand enjoy the pacing of this book at all. For almost the first half of the book it felt like not a lot was happening at all, then very suddenly everything dropped all at once. Beau and Arabella went from never seeing/talking to each other to instalove and I feel like it would have been more enjoyable if their relationship had been built at a more steady pace.

Rating: 2.25 rounded up
I received an ARC of this book from Netgally and Scholastic in exchange for an honest review.

I love fairy tale retellings and I was so happy to get to read this one. It is a gender swapped retelling of beauty and the beast. The plot was perfect and the romance was great.

This is a Beauty and the Beast retelling with the roles reversed. Beau and his group of friends stumble upon a castle which they enter with the intent to rob, when things go awry, Beau soon finds himself a prisoner of the castle. With the bridge destroyed and abandoned by his friends Beau must find a way to escape to get back home to his sick brother Matti. Meanwhile, Arabella and all who reside in the castle are held there by a curse, they wonder if Beau will be the one to break the curse.

Arabella has faced some hardships and is pushed around by her family, she has her strengths and a desire to protect her friends, but she is losing faith that her curse will be broken and she has a problem with trust as a result. Beau is determined to leave and will do everything in his power to do so, even if it means lying to Arabella. In time Beau and Arabella find that they need to learn to trust each other and work together. I liked the bantering between Beau and Arabella and seeing them learn each other's secrets and grow closer over time.

I love the story of Beauty and the Beast and am always eager to try a new retelling. The gender swapping caught my interest. Overall, this was a good read. The pacing was a bit slow so it took me a while to get into the story, but once I did, I was interested to see how this would end.

3.5 stars

This was a really fun gender swapped Beauty and the Beast retelling about a girl named Arabella who is cursed along with everyone in her castle. One day a thief named Beau finds himself trapped in the castle and is desperate to escape, but little does he know everyone is counting on him to break the curse.

While I still love a good YA, I think is better suited to a younger audience. It has a great message about self love, embracing your emotions, and following your passions. It’s definitely a little instalovey, but I enjoyed Beau & Arabella’s flirty banter and how they challenged each other. Overall this is a very cute and heartfelt story, and I would recommend it to fans of YA & magical retellings.

Thank you to Scholastic for the ARC!

Beastly Beauty by Jennifer Donnelly is a young adult fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast - this story sends a clear message to young women that their worth is so much more than just being a pretty face. The author encourages young ladies to love all the parts of themselves, even the parts that others may consider ugly. There is an overall theme of radical acceptance that the author taps into in a most clever way. This is certainly not your typical fairy tale as the author focuses on going against the formula that is expected from most fairy tales that young girls grow up consuming.

I enjoyed the symbolism throughout the piece - there is a great deal of psychological depth which I think ladies who are coming of age will find relatable. As a 33-year-old woman, some parts seemed a bit corny/cheesy and it did feel a bit young, but I absolutely believe that the perfect audience for this would be a girl in her early teens to early twenties. There’s always been so much pressure on women to act polite and to “let the men do the talking,” and this novel will remind young girls that they have so much more to offer than just their looks. A reminder that they can be accepted for even the dark and beastly parts of themselves and they shouldn’t feel ashamed or guilty for being complex and multi-faceted.

I thought the magic was a lot of fun along with having some great characters. I definitely recommend this one to young fantasy readers.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Scholastic for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I anticipate this book will be well received by the intended audience but no matter what age you are, there's definitely a message for you to take away.

3.5 stars!

Such an intriguing way of doing a retelling of a fairytale. I love a female 'monster'! The story is captivating, and I'm sure will be loved by many in the YA audience. It was a quick read for me and I had a fun time, but a couple of things stopped it from being a love: some of the writing wasn't my style. The conversations seemed so modern, but it's clearly not a modern setting (1800?), which pulled me out of the story. I'm also not an insta-love fan in my stories. I know this book will find its audience though.

This one was not for me! The pacing, the voice, the stylistic choices, the dialogue — nothing worked for me. The pacing felt stilted and insta-lovey. The liberal use of bold, italic, fourth wall breaks, and interludes just confused me. The modern dialogue with bad puns did not fit the story at all. With such a solid premise, I think this could be right up someone’s alley, but it was not up mine.

I believe both Jennifer Donnelly and Christina Henry excel in crafting dark fairy tale retellings, or rather, redefining them as midnight tales. Donnelly's "Stepsister," a retelling of Cinderella from the stepsister's perspective, immediately captured my interest. She breathes life into the overlooked characters of fairy tales, allowing readers to see them in a new light. When I learned she had penned a gender-reversed Beauty and the Beast tale with a werewolf twist, I was sold before even delving into Arabella's journey.

Arabella's character is a delightful blend of quirkiness, intelligence, refinement, and emotional depth. Despite her rare capabilities and passion for architecture, she's treated as an outsider by her family, who push her towards conventional pursuits. Trapped in a castle with a mysterious council of eccentric women, Arabella faces earth-shattering tragedies and secrets lurking within the castle walls, including a child held captive and a midnight monster threatening lives.

Enter Beauregard Armando Fernandez de Navare, a charming but troubled thief who finds himself unexpectedly entangled in the castle's mysteries. Desperate to escape and protect his brother, he forms an unlikely alliance with Arabella. Their burgeoning connection, amidst danger and deception, adds layers of intrigue to the story.

The book's rich symbolism, psychological depth, magical realism, and nods to other fairy tales create a captivating narrative. The dynamic between Beau and Arabella, filled with witty banter and simmering chemistry, elevates the story, blending elements of opposites attract and enemies-to-lovers tropes. This retelling of Beauty and the Beast is among the best I've encountered, and the poignant epilogue left me yearning for more.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic Press for providing me with a digital review copy of this captivating book in exchange for my honest opinions.

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

This retelling of “Beauty and the Beast” reverses the genders of the original fairytale, so that the Beast is a young woman named Arabella and the Beauty is a young man, named, appropriately enough, Beau. Neither character is truly one thing or the other; they both have been deeply wounded and suffer emotional pain inside the walls they have each built around themselves.

The story behind what made Arabella into a beast has at its core a feminist theme: Arabella was not compliant but rather burned to express her own agency, and thus incurred a horrific curse. For his part, Beau has come to regard love as a sham, and trust as a tool.

Thrown together by chance in the magical castle in which Arabella has been trapped, the two need to overcome their own fears and self-erected barriers to break the curses that have blighted their lives.

Donnelly is a skillful storyteller, and manages to capture the pain and hope of the central characters in a way that makes the readers invested in the outcome and how it will unfold in her richly imagined alternative version of the story.