To say I DEVOURED this book would be an understatement. Excellently written and draped in beautiful tragedy, it left me begging for more until it's very last page. Amazing characters, beautifully flawed and honest meet a captivating storyline. I couldn't put it down! I was more than willing to follow Laura into Kayne's underworld. This is the kind of book to make you laugh, cry, and want to fiercely confront your own monsters.

What. A. RIDE!!!! I finished it so quickly. I truly didn't think I was going to like it. There are so many Mafia books, but this one dwelled so deep. Every character was not who you expected, every relationship had so many layers. I hated and loved every character! I rooted for and against the same character! The internal battle that I went through reading this book consumed me.

What I loved, is the realistic human interactions between each characters. Every character was able to express their human flaw in their own way. And how their stories interlaced together was very well done.

It does end in a bitter sweet cliff hanger just FYI, and the next book doesn't come out until 2025 so i'm absolutely spiraling. Morally grey characters. Steamy. Hot and Cold vibes between the main love interest. No dull moments. Great story line. Plot is not only about the romance. Unexpected ending. Please read trigger warnings before reading.

Not only does this offer the romance aspect, it also offers the exploration of two broken souls and how their interactions forever alters their fate. I couldn't stop thinking about the characters after I had finished. This is the first book in an installment and I can't wait for the next one to come out.

4/5 stars

Wow! What an amazing start to this trilogy! I cried for the FMC more than once. The MMC finding his humanity through the telling was beautifully written. L.C. Moon has an amazingly power storytelling voice. This pulled me in and kept me captive through every chaotic plot point and piece of character development. The ending left me both emotionally devastated and cheering for Laura and her upcoming quest for justice. #longlivethequeen indeed. I can’t wait for the next book!

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️.5/5

What to expect
🦋 Dark Mafia Romance meets Beauty and the Beast retelling
🦋 Forced Proximity
🦋 BDSM Kink
🦋 Possessive, morally grey MMC
🦋 Touch Her And ☠️
🦋 "I'd burn the world for you"
🦋 Third person POV
🦋 Cat and Mouse
🦋 Spice

“He was a monster indeed, the truest kind of monster. He would not be satisfied with only making her cower in fear; he would also make her crave his comfort and render her desperate for his touch.”

My Thoughts
When I say I want morally grey, this is it! Call me delusional and colorblind all you want because the red flags were nonexistent 🥵 This is not the type of book I would normally gravitate towards, but OMG I was hooked after the first chapter. The writing was beautiful, almost poetic at times (please note that the character POV does randomly change throughout some of the chapters, which may be confusing but overall, I think LC did a good job at helping you understand which perspective you were reading through). Some of the character’s inner thoughts seemed to be over explained but I ate it up regardless. If they hurt, I hurt. They cried, I cried. If they felt giddy and joyful, I wiped my eyes and felt it too.

Think: Mafia romance meets Beauty and the Beast. This is not a romance nor is it really a love story – this is dark, depraved, gritty, and dare I say… sexy(?). She was his mark, a job, that’s it but to her, he was a tall, dark, and handsome stranger at a bar. After being ditched by her coworker and losing her wallet, she accepted his offer of a ride. She has information he wants, and she becomes his prisoner until he can get what he needs.

"No, he hadn’t saved her out of mercy. He’d saved her so he could be the one to make her beg and cry. So he could be the one to break her and savor her broken parts in all the unholy ways he craved."

I worried that the book would be more sex than plot, but I was wrong. The story that LC created is incredible. The character arc Laura had might be one of my favorites I have ever read. She endured heartbreak, trauma, and pain no one should know at her age but through it all, her growth was incredible to see unfold. Kanye could do unspeakable things to me, and I would never see the red flags he waves. Laura is an innocent dove and Kayne is a devious monster in a handsome body.

“I may be a monster. But I’d fight for you. I’d kill for you. Go to war for you. If you only knew… what your Monster would do for you.”

If you want a happy ending, you will not find it here. The book cracked open my chest, wove a carefully intricated web around my heart, like a cushion, while slowly crushing it and ripping it to pieces like a meat grinder. It ends on a cliffhanger and in my mind, the events that led up to the conclusion were a nightmare that we will wake up and find were never real… This book will haunt my dreams (but in the best possible way).

Dinner is at 7, don’t be late… 🫦
“Don’t play with fire, little girl,”

🥀If you enjoyed Haunting Adeline and/or Hunting Adeline, I would add this to your TBR.

Playlist
🥀The Death of Peace of Mind – Bad Omens
🥀Martyr – KiNG MALA
🥀No Mercy – Austin Giorgio
🥀You Put a Spell On Me – Austin Giorgio
🥀 Dangerous Hands.- Austin Giorgio

Thank you to NetGalley, and L.C. Moon for allowing me to review this eARC of A Bedtime Story (Beauty Meets the Beast).

This book was a pretty unique twist on beauty and the beast.
The author spins an amazing tale of despair that has you turning the pages to find out what will happen next. This was a great traumance that did not disappoint, I read it within a day as I did not want to put the book down.

After living a life of misery and torment Laura struggles to fit into a world that doesn't seem to care she exists. While attempting to enjoy a night out with a coworker Laura finds herself as the third wheel and attempts to call it a night. Little does she know life as she knows it will come to an end. Kanye is a handsome beast who will hold Laura as a captive to obtain important information for the organization. Laura pays the ultimate debt for her brother Peters sins.

"A Bedtime Story (Beauty Meets the Beast)" by L.C. Moon is an intensely gripping read that dives deep into the raw and twisted facets of love and humanity. From the very first page, I was drawn into the dark, somber fairy tale world where the line between beauty and beast is blurred, not by physical appearances, but by the psychological scars and emotional trauma the characters bear.

Laura Spencer, initially portrayed as timid and fragile, gradually reveals layers of resilience and complexity that make her incredibly relatable. Her evolution from a seemingly delicate character to someone shaped by harsh realities is both heart-wrenching and empowering. I found myself empathizing with her struggles and rooting for her transformation throughout the story.

Kayne Malkin, on the other hand, is a brilliantly crafted anti-hero. His character embodies the perfect blend of danger, dominance, and unexpected tenderness. His ruthless demeanor as a member of the Russian Mafia contrasts sharply with the moments where Laura's innocence brings out his reluctant sensitivity. The dynamic between Laura and Kayne is electric, filled with tension that kept me on the edge of my seat.

One of the standout aspects of this book is its unapologetic approach to dark themes. The story does not shy away from exploring the ugly and untamed sides of love, touching on difficult subjects like trauma, abuse, and identity. This depth adds a layer of realism to the fantastical elements, making the narrative deeply immersive.

The ending is particularly noteworthy. Unlike many stories that tie up with a neat, happy conclusion, "A Bedtime Story" stays true to its dark roots. The unresolved, bittersweet conclusion felt authentic and fitting, leaving a lingering impact long after I finished the book. It's refreshing to read a story that doesn't conform to typical romantic tropes but instead challenges readers to confront their own darkness and the complexities of human nature.

In summary, "A Bedtime Story" is not for the faint-hearted. It is for readers who appreciate a dark, erotic tale that delves into the intricacies of damaged souls finding a twisted semblance of love. If you're drawn to stories that explore the shadowy corners of the human psyche with raw honesty, this book is definitely worth picking up. L.C. Moon has crafted a narrative that is both haunting and unforgettable, making it a standout in the realm of dark erotica.

PLEASE ADHERE TO THE TRIGGER WARRNINGS!!

This book was my introduction to smut, bondage, etc. and it blew my mind. Simply because of the graphic nature of the book a few parts were hard for me to get through however, once I grabbed my glass of wine and made sure I was in a safe space I was ready to go lol. This story was full of twists and turns, it kept me wondering what would happen next. I found it interesting how Kayne wanted to be loved but was too afraid to allow it of himself and how innocent and pure Laura was, but her circumstances and forced proximity to the darker side of life changed who she was. It is the perfect example of how your experiences color who you are or who you will become. The author did an amazing job building this world and telling the individual stories. L.C was so descriptive that I felt I was watching a movie and not reading a book. I am usually a Romantasy girlie but I will read more books from this author. Edge of your seat spice and action, I loved this !!

I have never read mafia romance so this was an entirely new experience for me. Something about the description of this book appealed to me so I decided to give this genre a try. I was pleasantly surprised by the author's skill in weaving a story and the nod to Beauty and the Beast was an interesting aspect within the story.

This book is well-written and has a good pace. The suspense throughout is quite good and the characters were fleshed out well. I enjoyed the internal struggles and changes each main character exhibited and the story line kept my attention. I love dark content and this was quite good, although it was not as dark as I expected. I'd recommend paying attention to the warning by the author if you are sensitive or are triggered by certain content, though.

The ending was a surprise to me - I won't ruin it for other readers but I was surprised, and that doesn't happen very often for me. I will say that some of the extra content and Russian folk stories within the book were fascinating and the author wove them quite well not only into the story but into the main characters' thought processes and character development.

This is an enjoyable read and I will be reading the next book when it is released. I recommend this book and author.