I have never read The Great Gatsby but I love this retelling.
The childhood-friends-to-lovers romance is perfectly painted in a world of opulence, secrets and paranormal.
Characters are well written and their development is visible. Starting from the first pages I had a few characters I hated from the bottom of my heart but the author is nicer than I could be with some fictive people. I am happy my favorites remained nice people until the end 🤭.

Oof. I really didn't enjoy this book, and I'm so sad to say that, because I was really looking forward to it and so excited when I got approved! I was expecting more lushness and complexity and mood, but somehow everything felt a bit flat, and I just wasn't feeling the sparks between Daisy and Gatsby. Some of the plot devices felt a bit forced, like the bracelets Daisy notices on party guests, and the 'mysterious' wound on Nick. Obviously I'm in the minority and others are absolutely loving this book! It just wasn't for me, but I definitely wish this author all the success.

Words cannot describe how much I love Rebecca Kenney's writing. Her traditional publishing debut does not disappoint. Gilded monsters indeed.
Now I could be wrong, but you would have a hard time convincing me that adding vampires into literally all the classics would not make them all infinitely better. So when I heard The Great Gatsby meets Vampires, I was already all in.
I loved the characters and the world-building, the storyline was spectacular and I liked the supernatural spin on the classic tale (obviously).
If you like:
Second chance romance
Spice
Vampires
He fell first (and hard)
Then you will absolutely adore this book. I could quite literally not put it down and I will be over here not so patiently waiting for the next instalment.

This is my first ARC, and I was so excited to receive it! Rebecca Kenney NEVER disappoints. I devoured “Beautiful Villain.” It is a unique take on “The Great Gatsby” and every bit as enjoyable. I loved all of the spice, the rediscovered love, the vampire aspects and the characters. I loved Jay & Daisy, but Nick is definitely one of my favorites too. Such a fun read! Highly recommend. I can’t wait to see what other stores Kenney comes up with!

Fantastic and addictive Gatsby retelling with modern and supernatural flare!
I just couldn't put this down after I got into it. The characters, the drama, and the depth of feelings expressed painted a beautiful story.

Definitely a new favorite from Rebecca. Daisy is a wonderfully reimagined character whose fears, doubts, insecurities and drive for strength and understanding are extremely relatable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this opportunity to read rate and review this arc which will be available on July 16,2024!

A Great Gatsby inspired vampire spicy romance? Hell yes gimme!!! This was a wickedly fun read that sucks you in and will not let you go! The plot was great. The spice was spicing. The characters are memorable and dig into your psyche.

"You have the loveliest skin"
"Says the guy who's trying not to be creepy"


Kenney truelly is the queen of retellings and once again she has knocked it out of the park with Beautiful Villian a modern take on Gatsby.

Now I was unsure going into this whether I would enjoy this story from Daisy's pov. In the original there was nothing I wanted more than to smack Daisy in the face with a shovel. Thankfully new modern Daisy is fun likeable and for once I actually was rooting for her.

Kenney still manages to make this story original and her own while retaining some key aspects of the original. We still have green lights, extravagant parties, asshole Tom and gluttonous wealth.

Thankfully we don't have to contend with Nick as an unreliable narrator and can just enjoy the events unfolding from daisys first hand perspective. The supernatural twist is folded seamlessly into the story and helps elevate the sensual aspects to a new level.

The only thing I believe this retelling lacks is the meaningful imagery of the original, but that's OK because that's not the story Kenney is trying to tell here.

Amazing. Once I sat down to read this, it was dang near impossible to put down. This reimagining of Gatsby with vampires was such a delightful read.
Vampires and a little magic collide with the classic tale with a few elitist jerks thrown in for good conflict.

I don't know what Rebecca puts in her books... But I know that if she writes it I WILL read it.

*I received an eARC and I am leaving this review voluntarily*

Rebecca Kenney you’ve done it again! This spicy and supernatural Gatsby retelling is as opulent and entertaining as the original novel while still telling a story all its own. I was really rooting for this second-chance romance and it totally delivered on the feelings this trope always stirs up for me! And the spice 🥵 the hedge maze scene was EVERYTHING. Thank you to Rebecca Kenney and NetGalley for the eARC—I can’t wait for the next installment in this series of spicy classic lit retellings!

A fang-tastic twist on a timeless classic tale. Rebecca does it again by taking stories we already know and flipping them on their head in the best way possible. What better combination than Great Gatsby and Vampires? Oh, and did I mention the spice. 😉

I absolutely loved this book! Well written and I loved how Jay remembered all of Daisy's quirks! I also really enjoyed a lot of a banter, especially Nicks! Hes hilarious! I was not sure about her friend Jordan but honestly friends like her are the ones you really need in your corner!

Loved this book!! Rebecca has a way with words. Every story she's ever written has been amazing and this book did not disappoint.

i was very excited to read this because i am obsessed with gatsby retellings. but this was just not my thing. i think i'm too old hahah