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Beast of Boston
Sometimes in fairy tales, the heroine falls in love not with the hero, but with the villain.
That was my story. I fell for the man many called the Beast of Boston, Cillian O’Callaghan. I didn’t plan on it, especially after he stole me away from my father and forced me to marry him. But like all good tales, there were twists along the way.
The world saw only a beast when they looked at Cillian, but I knew him as a man with haunting secrets—secrets that only drew me closer to him.
When I looked into those gorgeous gray eyes, they made me want to stay with him forever.
In all fairy tales, though, there’s a price to pay for happily ever after, and I wasn’t sure if blood would be the cost of ours.
That was my story. I fell for the man many called the Beast of Boston, Cillian O’Callaghan. I didn’t plan on it, especially after he stole me away from my father and forced me to marry him. But like all good tales, there were twists along the way.
The world saw only a beast when they looked at Cillian, but I knew him as a man with haunting secrets—secrets that only drew me closer to him.
When I looked into those gorgeous gray eyes, they made me want to stay with him forever.
In all fairy tales, though, there’s a price to pay for happily ever after, and I wasn’t sure if blood would be the cost of ours.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2023
177 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
Bella Di Corte
32 books1,004 followersBella Di Corte writes criminal romance that will steal your heart. She brings to life stories of men who walk the line between irredeemable and savable, and the women who force them to feel. She’s known for her rich world building and strong characters. She’s also an International Bestselling Author.
Apart from writing, Bella loves to spend time with her husband, daughter, family, and four dogs. She also loves to read, listen to music, cook recipes that were passed down to her, and take photographs.
Bella was born and raised in New Orleans, a place she considers a creative playground.
Apart from writing, Bella loves to spend time with her husband, daughter, family, and four dogs. She also loves to read, listen to music, cook recipes that were passed down to her, and take photographs.
Bella was born and raised in New Orleans, a place she considers a creative playground.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
October 9, 2024
A modern-day retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Irish-style, with a little mafia thrown in for drama.
I was actually loving this fairytale retelling, up until the hero and heroine meet and relocate to Ireland. Honestly, when they very first met, it slowly started to go a different direction than I thought it would be. And for me, it ultimately proved boring and blah.
The hero was initially a beastly beast, for about 1-2 paragraphs. 🐺 He was mute (temporarily so), dead eyes, only purpose in life was revenge. But once he lays eyes on the heroine, he is suddenly infused with a will to live. ⚡️He instantly became…. I wouldn’t say insta-love or even insta-lust. More like he followed her around like a mute puppy dog with insta-intrigued. Gone were the scowls and moodiness. He took her wedding dress shopping (he never actually bothered to propose though), she was singing him songs with the radio while they drove, they took walks in the forest and talked about books, reading and she tried to get him to dance….
I mean nothing was wrong with all of this. It was a decent story. But at 40%, they’re officially happily married and extremely besotted with each other. So what’s left in the story, I’m guessing mafia drama back in Boston?
My disappointment was in the romance. I felt it happened too easily and too quickly. I would have loved to have seen some sort of relationship/romantic conflict to overcome, to see the hero be beastly and resent her presence and learn to like/love her.
Lastly, with both of them being virgins, and having been around each other for 1-2 weeks with ‘maybe’ one kiss shared, I felt the two sex scenes I read were a let down as well.
But, with them already lovey dovey, I peaced out. I’m just here for the romance.
I was actually loving this fairytale retelling, up until the hero and heroine meet and relocate to Ireland. Honestly, when they very first met, it slowly started to go a different direction than I thought it would be. And for me, it ultimately proved boring and blah.
The hero was initially a beastly beast, for about 1-2 paragraphs. 🐺 He was mute (temporarily so), dead eyes, only purpose in life was revenge. But once he lays eyes on the heroine, he is suddenly infused with a will to live. ⚡️He instantly became…. I wouldn’t say insta-love or even insta-lust. More like he followed her around like a mute puppy dog with insta-intrigued. Gone were the scowls and moodiness. He took her wedding dress shopping (he never actually bothered to propose though), she was singing him songs with the radio while they drove, they took walks in the forest and talked about books, reading and she tried to get him to dance….
I mean nothing was wrong with all of this. It was a decent story. But at 40%, they’re officially happily married and extremely besotted with each other. So what’s left in the story, I’m guessing mafia drama back in Boston?
My disappointment was in the romance. I felt it happened too easily and too quickly. I would have loved to have seen some sort of relationship/romantic conflict to overcome, to see the hero be beastly and resent her presence and learn to like/love her.
Lastly, with both of them being virgins, and having been around each other for 1-2 weeks with ‘maybe’ one kiss shared, I felt the two sex scenes I read were a let down as well.
But, with them already lovey dovey, I peaced out. I’m just here for the romance.
September 20, 2024
i adored this sm ??? cillian & maeve are my precious babies ☹️🫶🏻 (also the fact that they’re each other’s first was so special to me)
September 8, 2023
Love, Love, Love it! A retelling of Beauty and the Beast with a twist. Although this is a stand alone, it's tied to Bella Di Corte's Gansters of NY series as well as some of the characters in it. These characters make an appearance in the last part of this story. Bella fans will love reconnecting with Cash and Keely from Marauder. Even Mac and Mari from Machiavellian make an appearance.
I love all the new secondary characters, those loyal to both the MMC and the MFC. Bella manages to make even these secondary characters come to life. She's given them histories and depth and they're all kinds of quirky and fierce and unique in their own right. We even get some secondary love stories among them that only adds to the main story line.
Cian (MMC) and Maeve (MFC) were both amazing characters; both strong, but trapped in different ways, both waiting for the other to breathe life into them. I love how Bella brought Cian to life even though he doesn't speak a word (there are reasons) in the first 30+% of this story. We do get his POV at times and that helps us know his background and what motivates him, but it's his interactions with the other characters, their loyalty, how he communicates with them without speaking that really lets you get to know the man he's become...the measure of him....his strength, his weaknesses, his character, his determination.
In true Bella fashion, we have another great and moving romance; a love whose depths knows no bounds. One is the breath the other breathes, the beat of the others heart. No one writes a love so deep, like Bella can and this one ... ahhh... it's something else. It was that quite depth of love Mac had for Mari...his ability to understand her, to know when something was troubling her, knowing exactly what she needed and when. Cian is almost Mac but with an Irish accent and different tragedies that molded him.
But unlike in Machiavellian, Cian and Maeve know, almost from the beginning, that they love each other. This story isn't about them finding there way to love or each other; It's more about how that love alters their future, their purpose. It's also about vengeance and protection, because the ones he seeks vengeance on, are the same ones who threaten his woman, so there's plenty in this story to keep you turning pages. 5 stars.
I love all the new secondary characters, those loyal to both the MMC and the MFC. Bella manages to make even these secondary characters come to life. She's given them histories and depth and they're all kinds of quirky and fierce and unique in their own right. We even get some secondary love stories among them that only adds to the main story line.
Cian (MMC) and Maeve (MFC) were both amazing characters; both strong, but trapped in different ways, both waiting for the other to breathe life into them. I love how Bella brought Cian to life even though he doesn't speak a word (there are reasons) in the first 30+% of this story. We do get his POV at times and that helps us know his background and what motivates him, but it's his interactions with the other characters, their loyalty, how he communicates with them without speaking that really lets you get to know the man he's become...the measure of him....his strength, his weaknesses, his character, his determination.
In true Bella fashion, we have another great and moving romance; a love whose depths knows no bounds. One is the breath the other breathes, the beat of the others heart. No one writes a love so deep, like Bella can and this one ... ahhh... it's something else. It was that quite depth of love Mac had for Mari...his ability to understand her, to know when something was troubling her, knowing exactly what she needed and when. Cian is almost Mac but with an Irish accent and different tragedies that molded him.
But unlike in Machiavellian, Cian and Maeve know, almost from the beginning, that they love each other. This story isn't about them finding there way to love or each other; It's more about how that love alters their future, their purpose. It's also about vengeance and protection, because the ones he seeks vengeance on, are the same ones who threaten his woman, so there's plenty in this story to keep you turning pages. 5 stars.
January 28, 2024
a mafia beauty and the beast retelling 🐺💄💛 SOLD 💳💳
December 10, 2024
Damn, I really wanted to love this. It starts off so strong and feels like it's going to be the epitome of a dark mafia Beauty and the Beast retelling...but then, we kinda just lose the plot somewhere. Events just happen; we never revisit them. There's a random Ireland road trip in a...what I can only imagine being a golf cart 🤷🏻♀️ There's a hidden treasure that's causing a bunch of issues, I guess. The castle feels like something out of a cartoon villain story—let me explain: This castle must have some crazy spawn site because, at any given moment, there could be Bostonian assassins on the property. Now that I think about it, I honestly don't even know how the story ends. I do know there is a veterinarian's office that sees a bunch of action.
dnf
September 9, 2023I was so excited, the first half of the book was everything I was looking for, but then the second half didn't feel the same, it was boring and I wasn't enjoying it.
It's a shame, this book could've been one of my favorites.
It's a shame, this book could've been one of my favorites.
March 4, 2024
"Beauty of Boston."
"I was going to be okay. It’s too far away from your heart."
"Looking at him was like opening the first page to a love story written just for me."
“One day. He’ll find life again. If it doesn't’ find him first.”
“The Beast in this story gets his Beauty.”
It's been a minute since I have read a mafia love story written so beautiful and still have all the other elements.
I've said it before and if you read anything by Bella you will know her types of writing style. It's very special. And this is up there with some of her best stories. Beast of Boston is a forced marriage romance retelling.
Maeve is trapped in a forced engagement and she's looking for a way out Cian is out for revenge against the family Meave is meant to marry into. Cian decide to take her for himself. There romance journey is passionate, emotional and just so sweet even with him being not as the Beast of Boston.
I have to mention the spice, Bella out did herself with this one. I hope she keeps it up.
I highly recommend this book.
"I was going to be okay. It’s too far away from your heart."
"Looking at him was like opening the first page to a love story written just for me."
“One day. He’ll find life again. If it doesn't’ find him first.”
“The Beast in this story gets his Beauty.”
It's been a minute since I have read a mafia love story written so beautiful and still have all the other elements.
I've said it before and if you read anything by Bella you will know her types of writing style. It's very special. And this is up there with some of her best stories. Beast of Boston is a forced marriage romance retelling.
Maeve is trapped in a forced engagement and she's looking for a way out Cian is out for revenge against the family Meave is meant to marry into. Cian decide to take her for himself. There romance journey is passionate, emotional and just so sweet even with him being not as the Beast of Boston.
I have to mention the spice, Bella out did herself with this one. I hope she keeps it up.
I highly recommend this book.
September 9, 2023
After tragedy struck his parents young Cian's world changed. He was destined to seek revenge for his parents deaths.
Maeve was going to be forced to marry a cruel and ruthless Mafia man until the mute beast stepped up to save her.
There was an instant spark between Cian and Maeve. As they grew closer so did their love. Two soulmates.
Maeve was the light to Cian's dark. She was so beautiful and full of life even when danger was around them.
A beautiful retelling of Beauty and the Beast that will absolutely melt your heart.
Maeve was going to be forced to marry a cruel and ruthless Mafia man until the mute beast stepped up to save her.
There was an instant spark between Cian and Maeve. As they grew closer so did their love. Two soulmates.
Maeve was the light to Cian's dark. She was so beautiful and full of life even when danger was around them.
A beautiful retelling of Beauty and the Beast that will absolutely melt your heart.
September 8, 2023
This was a sweet Beauty and the Beast inspired romance that left me begging for more! I loved that it was more focused on the couple and the romance instead of the mafia aspect, simply because I haven’t read the series this book is connected to. I wasn’t lost in any way though.
arc
arc
January 14, 2024
Too much convoluted telling of nothing. And the nothing was boring and repetitive.
December 27, 2023
dnf got bored quick
September 15, 2023
Beast of Boston offers a delightful twist on the classic Beauty and the Beast tale that left me thoroughly enchanted. From the moment I opened the book, I was drawn into the magnetic connection between Maeve and Cian, a connection that went far beyond mere attraction.
Maeve and Cian, though seemingly opposites in many ways, felt like a match made in literary heaven. These characters effortlessly stole a piece of my heart with their depth and complexity. While they may be flawed and a bit broken, their imperfections only made them more relatable and endearing.
What truly stood out for me was the remarkable growth of Cian's character throughout the story. He evolved from a scared little boy with no clear purpose into a man who realized that his life held more meaning than he ever imagined. It's a testament to the author's skill that we get to witness this transformation, and it adds layers of depth to the narrative.
The chemistry between Maeve and Cian is nothing short of electric. Their love story feels authentic and heartwarming. Cian, the archetypal possessive alpha male, would go to any length to protect Maeve, and witnessing their devotion to each other is a true emotional journey.
Maeve and Cian, though seemingly opposites in many ways, felt like a match made in literary heaven. These characters effortlessly stole a piece of my heart with their depth and complexity. While they may be flawed and a bit broken, their imperfections only made them more relatable and endearing.
What truly stood out for me was the remarkable growth of Cian's character throughout the story. He evolved from a scared little boy with no clear purpose into a man who realized that his life held more meaning than he ever imagined. It's a testament to the author's skill that we get to witness this transformation, and it adds layers of depth to the narrative.
The chemistry between Maeve and Cian is nothing short of electric. Their love story feels authentic and heartwarming. Cian, the archetypal possessive alpha male, would go to any length to protect Maeve, and witnessing their devotion to each other is a true emotional journey.
Read
September 24, 2023with a title like that your expectations are bound to go high but this delivered basically nothing and that was extremely exhausting, frustrating and enraging. No idea wtf was happening, their emotional pace is so off and weird like what are y'all on about. So much promise and such a gut wrenching premise but nary a single moment that gave me the feels.
Read
September 6, 2023First time I DNF book by Bella Di Corte and im not good with this 🤧 hopefully someday I will continue this ARC.
September 9, 2023
Weak
Very weak storyline and disappointing. Mostly sex scenes. Not one of her better books😶 . Bit of a waste of time.
Very weak storyline and disappointing. Mostly sex scenes. Not one of her better books😶 . Bit of a waste of time.
Read
October 19, 20232.5���️ Meh, kinda felt like it was all over the place with this story. Didn’t really get a true mafia feel to the story. A bit disappointed quite frankly.
September 7, 2023
Beast of Boston
By Bella Di Corte
A tale as old as time that gave us a boy who believed it was his destiny to avenge the deaths of his parents and a sibling. Who walked and waited to get his revenge and while waiting to find his own redemption, his beauty, his own Sióg (fairy).
Cian (Kee-an) O’Callaghan is a rare type of Beast. His mission in life is to get rid of Oran Craig. Do you remember Oran Craig, you should…he was a player in Lachlan Ryan’s story Bone Deep. It looks like Oran is on a lot of people’s hit list. Have we found the man who can take him down? This man who has only recently begun to live again….
Cian did not want one thing to do with Pauric Bell, until he met his daughter Maeve Bell….his Beauty, his saviour. Let me tell you she is up to the task. Having been claimed by Dermot Craig, Maeve was about to run until the night her father left saying, he knew where to get help! The Beast of Boston was who he sought out.
Remember we are dealing with Irish lore here, lots of tales and beliefs and stories passed down through the ages. Fairies, hags that are happy to put a curse on you…so much for your imagination to run away with. That’s what Author Belle Di Corte allows reader to do with this book. We get to learn about heartache, we get to know how far someone would go to protect and we hope that Oran and Dermot Craig *poof* disappear.
There are many ways to retell a story, in my mind the author has re-imagined this story, to give us a Beast who badly needs his Belle to find him. A Beast who needs to find his breath again, who makes his blood rush through him again, who clears his mind and makes him live again. That story is the tale as old as time, that there is someone out there that can bring you back to a life worth living and that is what Di Corte wrote. Cian and Maeve is what the Sióg (fairies) brought together, to save each other, to love each other, to keep each other grounded and the fact that there were sparks that followed them around, well it was the luck of the Irish right?
You might not consider this one of her regular mafia stories, but it’s a love story through and through. She brings us characters we know like Cash Kelly and his wife Kee, with Mac and Mari Machiavello making a guest appearance and giving her readers the modern Irish Mob, Beauty and her Beast! Definitely a five star read for me!
By Bella Di Corte
A tale as old as time that gave us a boy who believed it was his destiny to avenge the deaths of his parents and a sibling. Who walked and waited to get his revenge and while waiting to find his own redemption, his beauty, his own Sióg (fairy).
Cian (Kee-an) O’Callaghan is a rare type of Beast. His mission in life is to get rid of Oran Craig. Do you remember Oran Craig, you should…he was a player in Lachlan Ryan’s story Bone Deep. It looks like Oran is on a lot of people’s hit list. Have we found the man who can take him down? This man who has only recently begun to live again….
Cian did not want one thing to do with Pauric Bell, until he met his daughter Maeve Bell….his Beauty, his saviour. Let me tell you she is up to the task. Having been claimed by Dermot Craig, Maeve was about to run until the night her father left saying, he knew where to get help! The Beast of Boston was who he sought out.
Remember we are dealing with Irish lore here, lots of tales and beliefs and stories passed down through the ages. Fairies, hags that are happy to put a curse on you…so much for your imagination to run away with. That’s what Author Belle Di Corte allows reader to do with this book. We get to learn about heartache, we get to know how far someone would go to protect and we hope that Oran and Dermot Craig *poof* disappear.
There are many ways to retell a story, in my mind the author has re-imagined this story, to give us a Beast who badly needs his Belle to find him. A Beast who needs to find his breath again, who makes his blood rush through him again, who clears his mind and makes him live again. That story is the tale as old as time, that there is someone out there that can bring you back to a life worth living and that is what Di Corte wrote. Cian and Maeve is what the Sióg (fairies) brought together, to save each other, to love each other, to keep each other grounded and the fact that there were sparks that followed them around, well it was the luck of the Irish right?
You might not consider this one of her regular mafia stories, but it’s a love story through and through. She brings us characters we know like Cash Kelly and his wife Kee, with Mac and Mari Machiavello making a guest appearance and giving her readers the modern Irish Mob, Beauty and her Beast! Definitely a five star read for me!
November 11, 2023
So this was an interesting re-telling and it started off strong, but it ended up falling flat in the end. The story just wasn’t fleshed out enough and despite being 300+ pages, it felt rushed. A lot of things were told instead of being shown, there were several scene jumps (like one minute in bathroom, next minute he is setting her on the dresser), there were typos/editing errors, and at times it felt like this was a continuation from another story with the side characters; the author gave a little of their backstories, but it still felt like coming in on the middle of a book.
Like she asked if one of them was the one who killed Devin (also listed as Delvin); when did he die in the first place? Things like that happened often. One minute she is a “V” and lost her card on her wedding night, but it wasn’t until more than halfway in the story we learned she takes birth control. Like when did that happen? If she was already on it, why, when she had never dated anyone? Was it for regulation of her cycle? In preparation for when she would loose her v-card? Etc.
Their house was set on fire, yet the next scene they were in their home. Was it the same home? What happened to the fire part? How much was damaged, etc. Why is Maeve calling Delaney “kiddo” when it was established earlier in the book Delaney is 19 yrs older than her? I thought it was maybe an inside joke, but the author made no mention of that, so I think she just forgot who was speaking to who in that part.
There are LOT of these types of scenes which made the book feel like a really good rough draft, but not cleaned up enough to be a finished product. I almost gave up on it a few times as it slowed down to a crawl, but I pushed through and finished
I still gave it 3/5, because I liked the concept, just not the execution.
Like she asked if one of them was the one who killed Devin (also listed as Delvin); when did he die in the first place? Things like that happened often. One minute she is a “V” and lost her card on her wedding night, but it wasn’t until more than halfway in the story we learned she takes birth control. Like when did that happen? If she was already on it, why, when she had never dated anyone? Was it for regulation of her cycle? In preparation for when she would loose her v-card? Etc.
Their house was set on fire, yet the next scene they were in their home. Was it the same home? What happened to the fire part? How much was damaged, etc. Why is Maeve calling Delaney “kiddo” when it was established earlier in the book Delaney is 19 yrs older than her? I thought it was maybe an inside joke, but the author made no mention of that, so I think she just forgot who was speaking to who in that part.
There are LOT of these types of scenes which made the book feel like a really good rough draft, but not cleaned up enough to be a finished product. I almost gave up on it a few times as it slowed down to a crawl, but I pushed through and finished
I still gave it 3/5, because I liked the concept, just not the execution.
September 8, 2023
I absolutely could NOT get enough Beast of Boston, and honestly I never wanted it to end. Cillian was a man on a path of vengeance after our storyline villain, Oran Craig (who has been a meanie in other books as well), had his family murdered in front of him as a child. They meant to get him as well but he got away, and he stopped speaking after that moment in time & pretty much died inside. Meave Bell's father was coerced into working for Oran, and now it's been said that she will have to marry his awful son, so her father goes to Cillian for help since he wanted no part of Oran's life at all. Cillian wasn't about to help him until he set eyes on Meave, and all of a sudden, something inside of him stirred to life so he decided he would marry her. I loved the fact that while Cillian felt like he was dead inside (and even his eyes showed that) he wasn't horrible to Meave, instead as they started to really connect, she brought him to life. Of course there's still our villain, who isn't about to let Meave go or let our sexy beast keep living so there are the twists coming in hot to keep me guessing, on top of my heart racing as this world can be brutal. I had no problem reading this story in one sitting, and I'm definitely glad I didn't start it in bed because I would have been up all night long. The cast of secondaries only added more layers of goodness to the story, and some of them brought humor to the table that had me laughing. Beast of Boston is the retelling of Beauty and the Beast with a mafia twist, and it's my favorite version out there so yeah, I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
September 10, 2023
Loved...Loved... Bella You Did it Again...It was "Intoxicating"
The Beast of Boston was such an amazingly awesome story 😎. Only Bella Di Corte can take a Mafia romantic relationship and make you feel like you are there with the characters. We have gorgeous Cian Cillian O'Callaghan from Ireland and Maeve (Intoxicating) Rose Bell the only daughter of Pauric Bell the clock ⌚⏰ maker. Oran Craig the Mafia Boss who was in charge in Boston was allowing his son to marry Dermot Craig because his son wanted Maeve. So this story is set in Boston and Ireland and as the Beauty and Beast fantasy goes, the Beast finds his Beauty and turns into a handsome Prince and protects the Beauty with his life. I loved reading about Cashell and Killian Kelly who are Cian Cillian O'Callaghan cousins. We have Keely Kelly Cash's wife in this book 📚📖 and Machiavellian aka Mac and Mariposa in this book 📚📖 and a few new characters. There's Delaney and Robert, Keenan and Fiona and a whole cast of characters. This story was so good. I couldn't wait to start reading it because I knew when I did I wouldn't be able to stop until it was finished. If you like Mafia stories and you like romance, you will love the Beast of Boston. I would highly recommend this book 📚📖. I could be biased because I am a Bella Di Corte super fan. 🙌🏾 🙌🏾 📖📚👏🏾👏🏾🤗
The Beast of Boston was such an amazingly awesome story 😎. Only Bella Di Corte can take a Mafia romantic relationship and make you feel like you are there with the characters. We have gorgeous Cian Cillian O'Callaghan from Ireland and Maeve (Intoxicating) Rose Bell the only daughter of Pauric Bell the clock ⌚⏰ maker. Oran Craig the Mafia Boss who was in charge in Boston was allowing his son to marry Dermot Craig because his son wanted Maeve. So this story is set in Boston and Ireland and as the Beauty and Beast fantasy goes, the Beast finds his Beauty and turns into a handsome Prince and protects the Beauty with his life. I loved reading about Cashell and Killian Kelly who are Cian Cillian O'Callaghan cousins. We have Keely Kelly Cash's wife in this book 📚📖 and Machiavellian aka Mac and Mariposa in this book 📚📖 and a few new characters. There's Delaney and Robert, Keenan and Fiona and a whole cast of characters. This story was so good. I couldn't wait to start reading it because I knew when I did I wouldn't be able to stop until it was finished. If you like Mafia stories and you like romance, you will love the Beast of Boston. I would highly recommend this book 📚📖. I could be biased because I am a Bella Di Corte super fan. 🙌🏾 🙌🏾 📖📚👏🏾👏🏾🤗
September 13, 2023
Mac is my boy from Bella but man.....Cian is a very close second.
"I am not the prince in our story, Maeve. I'll always be the beast."
"Long live the beast then. The king of villains in my story."
It is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast but in the world of mafia and the Beast isn't as beastly as you might think. There are people from the other books that make a drop into this particular book and it fits perfectly and reminds me that I do have a couple other books to read to fully appreciate what is going on.
The story followed along to the world I knew from the original story and I loved how she paid homage to the original but still gave it a twist all it's own and she just took us on a journey with Cian and Maeve and in their world.
Cian and Maeve are both a little broken and you really see some significant growth from Cian from being that scared little boy with no purpose to a man realizing his life has and can have more meaning than what he originally thought.
"You're not dead, Cian. Please believe me. I feel you." "You're with me."
These two were great together and you feel the love they have for each other. Cian is your alphahole possessive male who will kill anyone who hurts her. Maeve is the person that can bring him back from the brink and helps to heal him.
Well done Bella.....well done!
I did receive and ARC for honest review and I feel blessed for this chance.
"I am not the prince in our story, Maeve. I'll always be the beast."
"Long live the beast then. The king of villains in my story."
It is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast but in the world of mafia and the Beast isn't as beastly as you might think. There are people from the other books that make a drop into this particular book and it fits perfectly and reminds me that I do have a couple other books to read to fully appreciate what is going on.
The story followed along to the world I knew from the original story and I loved how she paid homage to the original but still gave it a twist all it's own and she just took us on a journey with Cian and Maeve and in their world.
Cian and Maeve are both a little broken and you really see some significant growth from Cian from being that scared little boy with no purpose to a man realizing his life has and can have more meaning than what he originally thought.
"You're not dead, Cian. Please believe me. I feel you." "You're with me."
These two were great together and you feel the love they have for each other. Cian is your alphahole possessive male who will kill anyone who hurts her. Maeve is the person that can bring him back from the brink and helps to heal him.
Well done Bella.....well done!
I did receive and ARC for honest review and I feel blessed for this chance.
September 10, 2023
Once upon a time...
Absolutely loved this book!
I was drawn in from the start and hooked to the end.
Beast of Boston is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast but with a twist. And adult style.
I loved Cian and Maeve. Both of these characters immediately stole a piece of my heart.
Thee is no way not to love and cheer for them.
And the cast of secondary characters are also wonderful. They are loyal and love Cian and Maeve wholeheartedly.
Cian and Maeve are true soulmates. They know it and as I was reading I could feel their connection and bond.
Though they may be opposites. They were a perfect match for one another.
Her light to his dark added to the appeal.
While this is a mafia romance story. I felt it was so much more. I couldn’t read fast enough and was devouring the words on the page.
I loved the Irish folklore mixed in with the fairytale.
I’m a big of of Ms. Di Corte. I’m always excited when I find out she’s releasing a new book.
But I think this one is my favorite. Just loved it!
The author did a phenomenal job with the writing and the characters touched my heart.
And she blew it out the water with the spellbinding retelling of my favorite fairytale.
Absolutely loved this book!
I was drawn in from the start and hooked to the end.
Beast of Boston is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast but with a twist. And adult style.
I loved Cian and Maeve. Both of these characters immediately stole a piece of my heart.
Thee is no way not to love and cheer for them.
And the cast of secondary characters are also wonderful. They are loyal and love Cian and Maeve wholeheartedly.
Cian and Maeve are true soulmates. They know it and as I was reading I could feel their connection and bond.
Though they may be opposites. They were a perfect match for one another.
Her light to his dark added to the appeal.
While this is a mafia romance story. I felt it was so much more. I couldn’t read fast enough and was devouring the words on the page.
I loved the Irish folklore mixed in with the fairytale.
I’m a big of of Ms. Di Corte. I’m always excited when I find out she’s releasing a new book.
But I think this one is my favorite. Just loved it!
The author did a phenomenal job with the writing and the characters touched my heart.
And she blew it out the water with the spellbinding retelling of my favorite fairytale.
September 10, 2023
I love me a good fairy tale retelling and Beast of Boston was just that. From the tragic start that changed the trajectory of Cian's life, I was rooting for something good to happen to him.
That something good came in the form of Maeve Bell. Quiet. Smart. Bookish and with a big heart. A heart that saw past the anger and pain and into the heart of a man who had lived his fair share of pain. A man that had so much more to offer than vengeance. A man with the capacity to love if he would let himself.
There was no denying the spark between Maeve and Cian but it was more than attraction. There was understanding and patience. Playfulness and a safe place to lay their fears. But with his enemies trying to make moves and Cian trying to stay two steps ahead, it was only a matter of time before things came to a head.
The way Bella DiCorte balanced the love story and the mafia madness was spot on. I couldn't read fast enough as the hope Maeve and Cian had for their future hung in the balance. Talk about intense. I felt like I was holding my breath as everything played out (with a few unexpected allies). And that ending...it was the happy Maeve and Cian fought so hard for.
That something good came in the form of Maeve Bell. Quiet. Smart. Bookish and with a big heart. A heart that saw past the anger and pain and into the heart of a man who had lived his fair share of pain. A man that had so much more to offer than vengeance. A man with the capacity to love if he would let himself.
There was no denying the spark between Maeve and Cian but it was more than attraction. There was understanding and patience. Playfulness and a safe place to lay their fears. But with his enemies trying to make moves and Cian trying to stay two steps ahead, it was only a matter of time before things came to a head.
The way Bella DiCorte balanced the love story and the mafia madness was spot on. I couldn't read fast enough as the hope Maeve and Cian had for their future hung in the balance. Talk about intense. I felt like I was holding my breath as everything played out (with a few unexpected allies). And that ending...it was the happy Maeve and Cian fought so hard for.
October 19, 2023
Bella Di Corte is an author that I think should get a lot more hype. I become so attached to her characters and often think about them long after I've finished her books. The Fausti series is definitely like that. She also has an atmospheric way of writing that you feel the unease breathing down your neck but you don't want to look because you don't want anything to happen to the main characters.
I got a sense of that with this book. I was rooting for Cian and Maeve so much but I knew fate had plans for them. There is that feeling of racing against the clock but I also felt that there were many parts of this book that were rushed and given minimal attention which is strange for this author. The chemistry was there but the depth of story was lacking.
Was this Bella Di Corte's best book? No, I wouldn't say so. If you've never read her writing, don't start with this book. Rather start with the Fausti series or even Machiavellian (some of those characters appear here and especially characters from Marauder).
I enjoyed the story and loved the link to Beauty and the Beast but I don't think it was her strongest book.
I got a sense of that with this book. I was rooting for Cian and Maeve so much but I knew fate had plans for them. There is that feeling of racing against the clock but I also felt that there were many parts of this book that were rushed and given minimal attention which is strange for this author. The chemistry was there but the depth of story was lacking.
Was this Bella Di Corte's best book? No, I wouldn't say so. If you've never read her writing, don't start with this book. Rather start with the Fausti series or even Machiavellian (some of those characters appear here and especially characters from Marauder).
I enjoyed the story and loved the link to Beauty and the Beast but I don't think it was her strongest book.
September 15, 2023
Yes, yes, yes and holy mother of all things hot, YES!!!!!
I don't know what it is about these Irish men, but I'm all in! Cian has to be my favorite thus far. I mean...it's really hard not to fall in love with a man who was so traumatized at a young age, he not only swore to avenge his families name, but refused to utter a single word.
Maeve's life was simple. It was also ruled by Oran Craig, a very bad man who "thinks" he's the king of Boston. In fact, Maeve is supposed to marry one of Oran's sons who is as evil as they come. Thankfully she has a dad who refuses to live by Oran's rules and decided to put his life on the line to help his daughter. His decision is only the beginning of the story.
The relationship that builds between Cian and Maeve isn't the most conventional one, but it sure turns into the best gangster fairy tale written. Maeve is exactly what Cian needed and Cian is the protector that Maeve needs. I loved this so much and am actually really sad that it's over. One can only hope that there will be another story to tell <3
I don't know what it is about these Irish men, but I'm all in! Cian has to be my favorite thus far. I mean...it's really hard not to fall in love with a man who was so traumatized at a young age, he not only swore to avenge his families name, but refused to utter a single word.
Maeve's life was simple. It was also ruled by Oran Craig, a very bad man who "thinks" he's the king of Boston. In fact, Maeve is supposed to marry one of Oran's sons who is as evil as they come. Thankfully she has a dad who refuses to live by Oran's rules and decided to put his life on the line to help his daughter. His decision is only the beginning of the story.
The relationship that builds between Cian and Maeve isn't the most conventional one, but it sure turns into the best gangster fairy tale written. Maeve is exactly what Cian needed and Cian is the protector that Maeve needs. I loved this so much and am actually really sad that it's over. One can only hope that there will be another story to tell <3
December 28, 2023
4 stars
Tropes : mafia romance, possessive H, grumpy x sunshine, H with disability, touch her and die
Ending : HEA (10 years later with 5 kids and 1 on the way)
Triggers : death, gore, violence, attempted SA
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Angst: 🔥🔥🔥🔥/5
OM/OW drama: OM (some that had feelings towards the h)
Standalone/Series: Standalone
Hero: Cian Cillian O'Callaghan
Heroine: Meave Bell
Kink: virgin h, no condoms, rough sex, oral, a bit spanking
I liked how Cian treated Meave since the very beginning. It was a bit cheesy how they sort of fell in love at the first sight. Meave pushed Cian a bit in the beginning and Cian was clingy since the beginning and it was cute lol.
They fell in love fast and the angst was Cian's revenge. I loved the scenes where they knew they were pregnant and Cian was even more protective of Meave.
I thoroughly enjoyed this.
Tropes : mafia romance, possessive H, grumpy x sunshine, H with disability, touch her and die
Ending : HEA (10 years later with 5 kids and 1 on the way)
Triggers : death, gore, violence, attempted SA
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Angst: 🔥🔥🔥🔥/5
OM/OW drama: OM (some that had feelings towards the h)
Standalone/Series: Standalone
Hero: Cian Cillian O'Callaghan
Heroine: Meave Bell
Kink: virgin h, no condoms, rough sex, oral, a bit spanking
I liked how Cian treated Meave since the very beginning. It was a bit cheesy how they sort of fell in love at the first sight. Meave pushed Cian a bit in the beginning and Cian was clingy since the beginning and it was cute lol.
They fell in love fast and the angst was Cian's revenge. I loved the scenes where they knew they were pregnant and Cian was even more protective of Meave.
I thoroughly enjoyed this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2023
Watching... A man whose heart is empty of life... Who lives in utter darkness...
Cian is an empty vessel with only one purpose. Vengeance. Retribution for the lives of his parents, and unborn sibling. From the age of ten, completely void of feelings or emotions, A hair trigger for rage is all most ever see.
Maeve, A quiet sweet natured woman being forced into marriage with the son of an Irish mobster. Her father's life hangs in the balance if she refuses.
When the two meet, their worlds collide. And something surprising rises from the ashes.
Cian becomes the kind of man that makes readers adore him... Everything about him becomes cherished and needed, A man that most women want as theirs. What rose from the ashes was a man, instead of a mindless beast. A truly re-readable masterpiece...
Cian is an empty vessel with only one purpose. Vengeance. Retribution for the lives of his parents, and unborn sibling. From the age of ten, completely void of feelings or emotions, A hair trigger for rage is all most ever see.
Maeve, A quiet sweet natured woman being forced into marriage with the son of an Irish mobster. Her father's life hangs in the balance if she refuses.
When the two meet, their worlds collide. And something surprising rises from the ashes.
Cian becomes the kind of man that makes readers adore him... Everything about him becomes cherished and needed, A man that most women want as theirs. What rose from the ashes was a man, instead of a mindless beast. A truly re-readable masterpiece...
September 13, 2023
A twisted tale of a beauty and a beast... and the monsters that haunt them.
Cian is a beast made from a terrible past he can't escape. Maeve is a beauty being made to face a terrible future. A tragic fairy tale with no hero to save them. Together, the villain and the princess must fight the fiends in hopes of finding their own happily ever after.
Bella Di Corte knows just what I love - dark and steamy adventures with a bad, bad man. The Gangsters of NY will always have my heart, but now they have to share. I didn't think it was possible for Mac and Cash to have such competition, but that was before I was introduced to Cian. The beginning is devastating. The final chapter is heartbreaking. And the entire tale is just amazing!
Cian is a beast made from a terrible past he can't escape. Maeve is a beauty being made to face a terrible future. A tragic fairy tale with no hero to save them. Together, the villain and the princess must fight the fiends in hopes of finding their own happily ever after.
Bella Di Corte knows just what I love - dark and steamy adventures with a bad, bad man. The Gangsters of NY will always have my heart, but now they have to share. I didn't think it was possible for Mac and Cash to have such competition, but that was before I was introduced to Cian. The beginning is devastating. The final chapter is heartbreaking. And the entire tale is just amazing!
September 13, 2023
Beast of Boston was a dark fairy tale retelling, which is a really different take on the classic Beauty of the Beast but still preserving all the great parts with an added mafia twist. It's an overall enjoyable book, but I loved it. It's jam-packed full of action, heartbreak, and mending hearts. Cain's past is very tragic. You will feel like Cain and Maeve were destined to be together. All of the characters were amazing, especially in my opinion, Keenan and Fiona. I will have to go back and read the series that this book is connected to, which I hadn't realized. Bella Di Corte did yet again write a well written story that had a great plot with a world and characters that made me so intrigued that I just couldn't put it down.
April 1, 2024
Absolutely breathtaking love story for the ages! In true Bella Di Corte style the writing is beautiful and it takes you on journey that will stay with you long after you finish the book. Cian and Maeve are destined for each other and when they meet they fall in love. This is a marriage of convenience arranged by her father who is desperately trying to get her away from a forced marriage to the son of an Irish mafia head. but you feel they were meant to be from the moment they are introduced. This is a very different love story in that Cian and Maeve Bell for right away so insta love sort of but you know they will be together for eternity. Maeve Bell and Cian O'Callaghan will have to navigate very turbulent times and events but they do get their HEA. Read this book! You will love it!
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