Beauty and Deceit: A Beauty and the Beast Faerie Tale Retelling

by Carol Beth Anderson

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST meets THE BACHELOR / THE SELECTION .

Aeryn is hungry, perpetually exhausted, and short on hope. Ever since her merchant father lost everything to pirates, the twenty-two-year-old has worked endlessly to meet the needs of her impoverished family. But it's never enough.

That all changes when a mysterious faerie invites her to a competition hosted by a Fae beast looking for a wife. Tor, the castle-dwelling creature, is wealthy enough to provide for Aeryn's family ... and she's desperate enough to say yes.

The castle is beautiful, straight out of Aeryn's dreams. Tor is more suited to her nightmares, with his red eyes, long claws, and rat-like tail. But looks can be deceiving ...

Then there are the other contestants, nine powerful faerie females. Aeryn is a mortal. How is she supposed to compete with their otherworldly beauty—and thwart the curse magic some of them wield?

The complicated situation quickly turns impossible for Aeryn. As her romance with Tor progresses, she also finds herself drawn to Wyatt, the castle gardener. He's nothing like the powerful Tor, yet Aeryn's feelings for him keep blurring the lines between friendship and attraction.

Winning Tor's heart is the only way Aeryn can save her family. But can she fend off the attacks of powerful faerie females, ignore her growing desire for Wyatt, and let herself fall for a monster?

If you like fairytale retellings, bookish heroines, love triangles, and a little bit of steam, you'll love Beauty and Deceit.

***

Originally published on Kindle Vella as Beauty and the Beast: A Faerie Tale Retelling .

This story is romantic, and there's mild steam. The intimacy is open door but with minimal explicit detail. Written for NA (new adult) audiences, appropriate for ages 16+.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Retellings, Fae, Ebooks, Romantasy, Beauty and The Beast

382 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 11, 2023

About the author

Thanks for visiting my Goodreads Author page! I'm Beth, author of fantasy novels, microfiction, and nonfiction for authors.

If you're interested in what books I'm reading, feel free to connect with me on my personal Goodreads too.

Reviews

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I loved this so much! It was super fast paced and kept me on my toes the whole time. I felt the story progressed nicely and the slow burn romance was so good! I love a good stand alone but I hope we get to see a book about a certain prince 👀

[Devika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beauty and Deceit is the newest book by Carol Beth Anderson. Beauty and the Beast meets The Bachelor in this YA fantasy. I enjoyed the previous titles by this author and am curious about what this book will bring. What will this book bring to its readers?

This book is really good! It really has The Bachelor vibes, with some real mean girls, betrayal and even a love triangle. I liked every part of it from the beginning to the end.

Check out my full review on my blog Boekensteeg

[Jess Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an ARC copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.

I love fairy tale retellings, and this was a fantastic lighthearted dive into Beauty and the Beast, Bachelor style. Aeryn is set in her ways and has her world turned upside down one rainy night. I enjoyed her journey of self-discovery and growth in confidence, embracing who she really is, along with the bits of romance. If you need a read that feels cozy and magical, this is the book for you.

[Ariel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I received and read an ARC version of this book from the author. My review is voluntary. I would have left a review regardless of version, or how it was obtained. I also strive to keep my reviews as honest as possible.

Beauty and the Beast is one of my top 3 favorite fairy tales from my childhood, so any chance to read a re-telling, I am going to take it.

I was excited for this one, with its promise of deceit and the opportunity for a darker twist with other women competing and another man thrown in the mix.

My expectations, sadly, were different than what was delivered.

The story was much more campy, and upbeat. Particularly with the main female character, Aeryn, always questioning her morality. Even though the worst she did was ignore her competitors.

Many of the characters had a shallow backstory or personality. Stereotypes, really. They were either good or bad, but not vicious enough to be evil.

Even the romance. Much of it is implied, barely confirmed, and doesn't really go beyond kisses.

Making everything black and white, lacking any further depth. The whole story was surface level.

It's a shame as there was so much potential not taken advantage of to take the story to that next level and make it much more memorable.

If you’re into lighthearted, quick stories where good wins out, with clean romance. This is for you.

Me, Aeryn was just way too sweet and nieve for my taste and didn't have a compelling competitor or personal demon to offset that.

[M.E. Aster · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Actual rating: 4.5 stars)

This book’s description is dead on. This is truly Beauty and the Beast meets The Bachelor and it was such a fun read!

Anderson puts her own spin on this classic fairytale, mixing the traditional elements of the story within a world populated by gorgeous faeries, all who are competing alongside the mostly human Aeryn for the beast’s heart.

This was a great story. The competition was interesting and it added a new layer to what could have been just another retelling. I enjoyed watching Aeryn find herself throughout the different challenges and I liked how her story arc ended.

Personally I could have used a bit more spice, but that’s just me.

I would definitely recommend this to any fans of fairytale retellings!

*I received an ARC of this book from StoryOrigin and this is my honest, voluntary review.*

[The Arcist · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not for me. The Bachelor vibe didn't sit well to start. I found the writing good but a bit basic. The book was overall an okay read but there were so many small things that put me off to it.

I think the book was just too convenient. If you're looking for a fluffy, perhaps cozy, YA fantasy this would probably be for you. I, personally, wouldn't consider this NA because it's, very mild. Based on the cover alone I expected something darker and spicier.

Parts were entertaining, I loved Wyatt and the snake. The conflict resolution was mid and I really didn't like the idea of women pitted against other women especially in a competition where the "prize" is getting married. I don't actively dislike the book, it's a good concept, but it didn't grab me the way I hoped it would.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beauty and the Beast is my all time favorite Disney story so I may have had high hopes! However, reading about Aeryn and Faeries was such a great twist and different take that I truly enjoyed. You get to know this kick butt FMC through each high and low she encounters. I did not see a ton of the storyline going where it did which was so much more enjoyable!

[Kelly Scriven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beauty and the Beast meets The Selection - with a twist! Tor is a Fae prince, cursed to live as a beast for all eternity unless he can find someone to marry him for love. Aeryn just wants to save her father and provide for her family. This Bachelor-style competition, with a mortal against 9 Fae beauties, was an easy read that kept me coming back for more. Better yet, it surprised me - I expected a straight forward enemies to lovers and found mystery and twists I didn't see coming. I enjoyed Aeryn having some common sense and the refusal to give into instalove. 5⭐️, it's not perfect but any book that I can read in two days gets my top marks. I received a free ARC and am so happy to review!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when you combine the wonders of the fae with the romantic story of Beauty and the Beast? You get Carol Beth Anderson's new high fantasy, Beauty and Deceit. Take it from someone who doesn't enjoy dating competitions (I have a whole rant, don't get me started), Carol really knocked this one out of the park.


Aeryn is smart, caring, and devoted to her family, she's spent most of her life taking care of her entire family. It's just who she is but the negative result is anxiety, overthinking everything, and letting fear drive her. Amazingly enough, with a little help, Aeryn not only manages to survive the fae but she finds herself. Aeryn makes a lot of mistakes but she learns from them and tries to be better. As a main character, she's not only likable but relatable.


Talk about angst, Aeryn has three possible love interests. Tor, the Beast, who wants to win a bride, the prince who visits her dream but is flawed, and Wyatt, the sweet gardener who offers Aeryn all that he can. No one is what they seem and no one's perfect. At times I felt a little bad for Tor, and I see possibility for the prince to be better but Wyatt is my favorite. He was there for Aeryn in every way that he could be, being a place she can turn to for advice, comfort, and true friendship. How could I not swoon for that?


I'm with Aeryn on this subject, I very much dislike for love competitions but I don't mind reading them when other elements are involved. Ms. Anderson has given me that with interesting characters, lush description of faery, the unique background of the far, and beautiful magic. The magic had to be my favorite part. There are serval types, creation, blessing, nature, dream, and cursed to name a few. Creation has to be my favorite, the possibilities are off the charts. There were just as many varieties in fae looks as magic, different skin tones, hair colors, and embellishments such as wings, horns, and tails.


While I don't like the idea of the competition, I like that Aeryn was able to make true friends, discover some things about herself, and fall in love. There was angst for sure not only love but the angst among the competitors as well. The scheming and alliances, interference with magic, and discovering people's true motives were part of an excellent plot.


I absolutely adored Beauty and Deceit. It's such a unique twist on not only the Beauty and the Beast fairytale but a totally unique take on fae, all the while keeping the elements that I know and recognized. This is my second book by Ms. Anderson, and I'm looking forward to reading more.

[Chad Barrus · Rating 4 out of 5]

A retelling of Beauty and the Beast but with a twist.
Aeryn is a human girl who has taken it upon herself to care for her siblings and her father when he lost his fortune to pirates. He squanders all his money from his job on drink if she can’t get to him
In time. One night she doesn’t and when he is injured she tries to go for help but meets a fairy who tells her she will care for her family if she enters a contest with nine other fairy women to win the heart of a beast who controls a castle. With nothing to lose she agrees. She finds things about him she likes but finds she is attracted more to the gardener outside taking care of the grounds. She endures and survives betrayal and she herself betrays the trust of two contestants she has become friends with. There are more twists and turns ahead but the ending is one you’ll hope for as you read this book!

I enjoyed this book and recommend it because I like fairy tales and it is an imaginative retelling of Beauty and the Beast to some extent with ten contestants vying for his hand. You find out there are at least four of the contestants who have honorable reasons for wanting to win and at least two who will stoop to any level to win. Aeryn takes a long time before she finally takes the advice she is given to make the changes her heart wants. Will the beast find his wife in this contest? You need to read it to find out!

It’s an imaginative story and I think you’ll enjoy it as
much as I did!

[Tifany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aeryn is foraging with her father when he becomes injured. When a faerie offers her help in having her father healed and her family taken care of in exchange for Aeryn’s participation in a marriage competition, Aeryn easily agrees. But with faeries, things aren’t always as they seem and as a human in a faerie world, Aeryn may be out of her league.

This wonderful mash-up of Beauty and the Beast with the Bachelor is a fast-paced romp into a world of magic and faeries. The characters are well-developed with such depth. From Aeryn, who’s vying to be Tor’s wife as a way to take care of her family; to Tor, the beast of the castle; to Wyatt, the friendly gardener; to Aeryn’s friends/fellow competitors, we really get to know them and their motivations.

The descriptions of the castle and its grounds made it easy to visualize the setting, as well as the mentions of the appearances of all the faerie contestants. This story really played out in my mind like a movie! The competition aspect made it fun and added some great drama to the mix.

Overall, I was super engaged and glued to this book! Definitely a 5 star read for me.

Special thanks to the author for the ARC. All thoughts in this review are honest and my own.

[Trina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!! It was a fantastic story and I enjoyed read it was a quick story. Must read it was a page turner and the suspense was a dark twisted. I was at the edge of my seat and I could not put it down. This was the dark side of the Beauty and Beast fairy tales story as I read when I was a child. Aeryn had to participated in a marriage competition for to married the Prince that was know as the Beast. Aeryn was only human female girl who won the beast heart and soul throughout the action packed competition. This was wild and crazy it was the dark side of the original Beauty and the Beast fairy tale story and movies and television show. Aeryn heart belong to the Best right now but she wanted to go home to her family but the Beast mad sure that her family was well taking cared of and will have nothing to worry about ever again. The ending of this story was great. I'm reading for the next book from this author. I highly recommend this book and you will not regret or be disappointed at all with this story.
I received a free ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a honest review. Trina Jones

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a most beautiful and exciting retelling of the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast which I have ever read. Ms. Anderson has made much more of this story, by turning the falling in love bit into a competition with Aeryn being the only human participant taking part amidst nine other female fae competitors out to win the beast's heart. Aeryn has a lot at stake, namely the well being of the human and very poverty stricken family she has left behind, she feels responsible for the well being of her siblings and her drunken father, and sets out to win the beasts' heart against all odds. She thinks she is the only one unable to wield magic so feels at a disadvantage, however Wyatt, the gardener keeps telling her to just be herself and this turns out to be the best advice she could have been given. As the other contestants stab each other in the back and betray one another she remains quite steadfast and when she does make a wrong move she always owns up to it and tries to rectify it, not wanting to lose her humanity. I love what Ms. Anderson has done with this very exciting and magical book which has a Hunger Games vibe to it on top of all the wonder of the fairy tale, making this a real pleasure to read.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a truly magical book I am admittedly a big fan of fairytales and especially the ones that are diverse from the original Grimm ones.
This book drew me in from the start Aeryn a young woman trying to hold her family together after loss and loss of status and wealth. After trying to bring her father home she winds up being brought to a special Fae mansion and told she is to compete for the hand of the Fae lord there Tor, he is beastly to look at and it’s a shock to Aeryn but she also finds wonder and magic within this place and a special friendship with some of the faerie females she is competing against and the reserved and handsome gardener Wyatt.
This book has nice quick chapters so you don’t feel dragged along in anyway.
I loved Aeryn struggling with her conscience and her feelings while attempting to stay in the castle and win the hand of the prince to make sure her family are fed and cared for.
A sweet read and a given for anyone who loves a fairytale

[Eileen Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cleverly told “Faery” Tale

22-year-old Aeryn has always been the sensible one in the family, and after her mother dies and her father loses all his money after his ship is beset by pirates, she becomes its mainstay.

She keeps the family afloat through knitting, foraging, and by making sure she gets to her father on payday before his wages are spent on the bottle.

One evening, she is not on time and when they forage till after dark and are lost, a faerie offers Aeryn a bargain she can’t refuse.

She agrees to be a mortal contestant in a fae contest to see who will marry the “beast” who lives in a castle hidden on earth. And that’s when the fun starts.

Good and evil with plenty of twists, turns, and action to keep you turning the page. Highly recommend.

[FaceBehindABook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great retelling of Beauty and the Beast.

Likes:

•The competitive nature of winning the beast (Bachelor style just more magical)

• The stories of the side characters

• The realisation that sometimes the consequences of actions don't create maturity

• Beauty is not everything

Dislikes:

• The FMC seemed to be a little immature when faced with making choices

This story was one of those read it in one sitting story because you felt like you needed to know how both storylines in the plot worked out.

I received this as an ARC from BookSirens and this is my voluntary review

[Christina Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author created a beautiful world, weaving the back story and present together flowing effortlessly. Each character their own and the interactions funny witty and intriguing. Tor I could really visualize his beastly form. Following Aeryn I loved that she was growing and caring but didn't want to lose herself to her new world. Tor and Wyatt shared the male lead roll. Though I really like retellings of fairy tales. I Felt more for Wyatt then i did Tor. I really enjoyed the authors grasp on Beauty and the Beast. Cerise was an awesome villain basically. Her reason for it all and her part in the story the author created her perfectly. If retold fairy tales is something you enjoy or not up your ally. I would defiantly try this book, recommend it really, This is one I would read again.

[E.P. Stavs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I thought I’d read enough Beauty & the Beast retellings, there I went diving into another. It didn’t hurt that the author is a particular favorite of mine (LOVED The Magic Eaters and Faerie Fallen.) This take uses the premise of The Bachelor, with the cursed Beast being the end prize. Something that took me a minute to adapt to, because I’m NOT a fan of the show. But it works wonders here, given the execution and ultimate conclusion. Loads of twists, fun magic, tender moments, building friendships, and unexpected betrayals to be had. Oh, and pining. Did I mention there was pining? Cause there is PI-NING. 🔥

Loved it. 5 ⭐️

[Rachelle Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so imaginative and a great take on Beauty and the Beast. I loved the Enchanted castle, the bachelor style competition, and the ending was satisfying. There was a huge focus on strong character, honesty, humility, and being yourself that I really appreciated.

The reasons for not giving it 5 stars was there were times when the way the conversation was written that felt much too modern for the setting and world they were in. It made it feel more juvenile than otherwise.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Victoria Scalzitti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect book for any fans of The Selection. This book is a beauty and the beast retelling with a refreshing twist! Who doesn't love fae?! This was a fun book to read and I found myself getting invested into the characters as they developed. If this was the actually the bachelor I think it would have been my favorite season!
I think this is going to be a new hit in the upper YA community for sure!


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is beauty and the beast meets the bachelor, and that’s great for some and not as interesting for other readers. It’s at times a sweet, passionate story and at others not as captivating as it might be. Aeryn is a fierce, loyal heroine whose greatest strength is her mind and who has to decide whether she will follow her heart and what the consequences might be. Was there a single beast? Perhaps. Was there a curse that effected many, a castle and a prince? Yes. The father is lovely but troubled. It’s a good story overall.

[VoraciousBookDragoness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!
I made a mistake starting this book at night, I couldn’t put it down till the end. It kept up all night, on the edge with the challenges, captivated by the well described characters & fascinated by the sweet romance. This is so much more than just a retelling, it sucked me into this amazing plot, & I loved the unexpected twist.

Thanks for the ARC!

[Kirsty Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this retelling. It was a really strong story-line, with enough intrigue to keep it compelling reading and to have it be different from the original. I loved the strength of the female main character. This was a pleasure to read.

[Shana W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this book! It is a highly original and creative retelling of Beauty and the Beast. The characters are fascinating and I found myself identifying with and rooting for the FMC. The story is easy to read, moves at a fast pace and is very well written.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Maris McKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never get tired of reading Beauty and the Beast retellings. This one had some twists on the classic story that I didn't expect, and in this case that made the story fresh and fun. The author does a great job of capturing real human emotions on page and writing nuanced characters; it was a genuine pleasure to read. I also enjoyed the worldbuilding and attention to detail in crafting the setting.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Beauty and Deceit, and ended up buying a paperback because I enjoyed it so much.

[Rosa S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Beauty and the Beast has been my favorite fairy tale since the movie came out when I was 9 years old, so I was thrilled to read a retelling.
What I liked about this story is that it's not your everyday retelling. There are plenty of elements similar to the fairy tale, but the plot is original to the author.
I've never read a fairy tale that has a plot like The Bachelor. That made this retelling different and intriguing.
I don't want to give away any spoilers, so I'll just end with this final thought. While the ending was unexpected, it was very satisfying. I love happy endings!

[Eli Bert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got an ARC in audio form. It was a lot of fun to listen to!
Read my full review on my Tumblr here:
https://booksnstuff58.tumblr.com/post...

[Erin Mendoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was listening to the audio book (which is great) of this for most of it, until I hit the end of what's been released so far and moved to the e- book.
Such a fun beauty and the beast retelling full of twists that I didn't see coming!

[MGB · Rating 5 out of 5]

The publisher wants you to believe it is a retelling. There is a beauty and a beast, but it is far more than a retelling. Take an author whose skill is Fae, inspire her with a well known fairy tale and wow! This story is far more than you would expect from a retelling.

It's a competition and Aeryn wants to win - actually she needs to win. She has a pressing need and it only accumulates while the competition happens. Turns out that Faeries don't always compete by the rules - maybe they don't even explain all the rules.

Aeryn is determined to be herself and represent herself. The author leads you right into Aeryn, her life, who she is, and this competition. You will see the emotional swing of all emotions, highs and lows. By learning more of herself and using that to excel she will be the best, not just for herself, but for her family and those she has befriended along the way.

This is a very enjoyable read, with a little different take on Fae. There is a battle as Aeryn learns to use what she is best at. Certainly it wraps up as a wonderful human/Fae romance.

[Casie Aufenthie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is one of my all-time favorite fairy tales, I was excited to find this retelling by one of my favorite authors. ‘Beauty and Deceit’ is a fun twist on the tale, using a tongue in cheek take on reality dating shows. The story is light, fast-paced, and has a wonderful mini love triangle with just the right amount of spice for any lover of romance.

The main character, Aeryn, joins the competition to become the Beast’s bride as a way of helping her ailing father and struggling family. There many times she is kind and selfless and heroic, but there are also moments where she’s human enough to make mistakes. She has the same thoughts and feelings any normal woman would in the circumstances, which creates a character that’s easy to relate to and root for.

On the other hand, Tor, our beast, isn’t as easy to love. There are tender moments, certainly, and it’s clear he’s not a bad person, but the character is deeply flawed (purposefully). There’s an arrogance and selfishness and controlling nature that he tries to hide, or perhaps curb, and it isn’t until the very end that the reader learns the truth of who he is beneath the grotesque curse he’s been placed under.

Aeryn’s other love interest is Wyatt, and he is loveable from the start. He starts as her friend and confidant, someone who obviously cares about others deeply. Throughout the story, he carries a heavy burden on his heart, and there’s an element of self-sacrifice and penance that is hinted at but goes unrevealed until later chapters. He’s definitely the sweet book boyfriend in contrast to Tor’s bad boy nature.

There were twists and turns and intrigue aplenty through the story, and it all wraps up neatly in the perfect package. For anyone who enjoys romance, especially in the form of fairy tale retellings, this is the book for you. Carol Beth Anderson delivers another wonderful work — Don’t miss out on it!