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Heart of Beauty

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Discover the origin of Crooked Tooth Ranch in this 1870s western retelling of Beauty and the Beast


A fearless horse gentler turns her skills on the reclusive cowboy protecting her.

Blue Spruce, Montana, 1871—When Caleb Orson's prize stallion escapes his ranch, Sal Beauregard rides to the rescue, revealing her true identity as a one of the few eligible females in town. She'd do it again if it meant saving an animal from the cruel retaliation of Brendan Doran. The man has no respect for women or God's creatures.

But the sun's early setting strands her at Caleb's ranch. Worse, Sallie's father unceremoniously leaves her there under Caleb's protection. However, Doran refuses to lose again to Caleb---first a horse, now a woman. He wants Sallie as his wife, and not even the reclusive ogre of a cowboy can stand in his way. No matter Sallie's opinion.

Choosing to make the best of a difficult situation, Sallie takes over the gentling of Caleb's stallion. She believes she can reach Caleb as well. Only, the first blush of friendship grows into something ... more. Something that threatens the desires of Caleb's enemy. And if Doran cannot have a beauty like Sallie, neither can a beast.

A Tale of Tenacity, Romance, and Peace

154 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 11, 2025

11 people are currently reading
107 people want to read

About the author

Danielle Grandinetti

27 books616 followers
Danielle Grandinetti writes both historical romantic suspense and contemporary sweet romance. She is an avid reader and her writing has won the University of Northwestern Distinguished Faith in Writing Award. Originally from the Chicagoland area, she now lives along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin shoreline with her husband and their two young sons. Find her online at daniellegrandinetti.com.

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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for J.E. Grace.
Author 23 books141 followers
January 13, 2025
It is a beautifully written story that will keep you wanting more after the last page is turned. It's a blossoming, sweet romance steeped in lots of suspense and faith. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next as I read.

I loved the descriptions of ranch life in Montana in the 1800s. The author's easy-to-read writing style brought the story to life. The characters were well-developed with lots of layers. I enjoyed following their story as the layers were exposed, dredging me further into the story. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Vickie.
2,232 reviews76 followers
February 13, 2025
From the first time I encountered the spunky and talented Sallie Beauregard, I wanted to know more about her and what made her so feisty and an excellent horse trainer. Her backstory of growing up with her trapper father as they lived a nomadic lifestyle together was fascinating. When she started living on Crooked Tooth Ranch with the unfriendly and somewhat intimidating owner Caleb Orson, the fireworks in the story began and continued at a good and completing immersive pace. I enjoyed getting to know the characters. Even the secondary characters were well-developed and interesting. I especially liked the ranch hand Anchorman who seemed to always be there right when he was needed. The romance was predictable but the way they got there was not. With a firm undercurrent of faith as the foundation of their lives, the two main characters have to overcome pasts that almost drowned them in the sea of regrets and then they could look forward to a future. The story is realistically told with crisp writing, a picturesque setting, and relatable characters. This book is action-packed, with a villain I really enjoyed disliking. It was an engaging reading experience that kept me captivated by the drama of the story. The author did a masterful job of balancing romance with action and had some clever humor in the story, too. I think my favorite thing of all about this book was the chemistry between the characters and the love that Sallie so obviously had for the horses and the people around her. This is a slam dunk, satisfying and delightfully well-written historical romance.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Just Read Tours. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Profile Image for Melissa (christianbooksandcoffee).
783 reviews359 followers
January 30, 2025
4.5 stars!

If you like Christian western romances and Beauty and the Beast, then this is the book for you! Sallie is our Belle character and Caleb is our Beast character. I really liked both of these characters. Sallie has a special way with horses and helps Caleb with them. Caleb is protecting Sallie from Brendon Doran(Gaston) at her father’s request. Brendon Doran is determined to make Sallie is wife. As Sallie and Caleb work together on the horses Caleb’s walls come down and a friendship is formed. But there is still danger around. This was a wonderful story with Beauty and the Beast, forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine and great Christian content. I loved how much the story parallels with the Disney version. Overall a great story and I recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Melmo2610.
3,618 reviews
February 9, 2025
This was a wonderful read! I am a Beauty and the Beast girlie, so this B&B inspired western was right up my alley! I love that Danielle infused B&B with cowboys! The story was really fun, it had some unique elements to the storyline that really added to the story as a whole. One of my favorite elements was that Danielle included the fact that Caleb had a large library that Sallie was enthralled with. I also loved the epilogue-it also had some unique features that made it really fun and it was a lovely end to the story. We also see a familar face along the way if you are familiar with Danielle’s other books, so that was neat too. I will be looking to order a paperback for rereading immediately.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Elly.
Author 2 books15 followers
February 10, 2025
Heart of Beauty by Danielle Grandinetti is a delightful 1870s Western retelling of Beauty and the Beast. The story centers on Sal Beauregard, a spirited and skilled horse gentler, and Caleb Orson, a reclusive cowboy with a guarded heart.

When Sal rescues Caleb's prized stallion, she finds herself drawn into his world, a world complicated by a ruthless man named Brendan Doran. I loved Sal's character—she's fearless, compassionate, and determined to make a difference. Her interactions with Caleb are heartwarming, and it's wonderful to see how she breaks down his walls.

Grandinetti's writing is engaging, and the Western setting is vividly portrayed. The story is filled with suspense, romance, and themes of redemption and inner beauty. I highly recommend Heart of Beauty to anyone who enjoys western romance or a fresh take on a classic tale.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Michaela | Reading in the Heartland.
3,683 reviews69 followers
February 13, 2025
This was a lovely novella. I couldn’t put it down. Not only do I love this author, but I adore Beauty and the Beast retellings. Set in Montana, in 1871, the Christian historical romance gives us two character who are opposites. After our heroine is exposed for being a girl, she falls under the protection of our cowboy hero. With that forced proximity, and her gentle way with horses, our story speeds quickly along. Throw in a little suspense, and this was a shorter read that I blazed through. The romance moves a bit quicker than I would’ve expected from our hero, but this is a novella, so that’s to be expected. I’m excited to read more from the set up this book brings us.

I received an ARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Profile Image for Becky Lewis.
1,058 reviews59 followers
February 13, 2025
“But fear had no place in building trust.”

Danielle Grandinetti’s Heart of Beauty novella is one I’ve been eagerly awaiting for a long time. While part of a loosely connected 14 book series, Hearts of the West, it is the connection to Silas Ward, a cowboy in Grandinetti’s Refuge for the Archaeologist, that drove my curiosity. Thankfully, Grandinetti mentions that connection and other important thoughts in her author’s notes at the end.

So, if you have not read Refuge for the Archaeologist in the Harbored in Crow’s Nest series, why read Heart of Beauty? Retold Fairytale. Done well. Set in Montana Territory in 1871, Grandinetti gives us a beautiful American West retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Grandinetti goes to great lengths to make many parallels to the old tale, more than I have ever seen before. I rather enjoyed that close mirroring.

Sallie Beauregard is a horse whisperer who has long masqueraded as a her trapper father’s son for safety in the Wild West. When her concern for a runaway horse reveals her true identity, her father leaves her in the care of a local rancher. Caleb Orson is known for his solitary ways and sullen manner. How is Sallie going to be safe on his ranch?

I appreciated the respectful mention of the Blackfoot people who lost their land to a government that forcibly relocated them.

As a result of his participation in the Civil War, Orson feel like he has darkness inside. He can’t overcome that. “You are of God, Caleb Orson, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than …” says Sallie, encouraging Orson with Scripture. I love how putting our name in Scripture for the word “you” when Jesus is talking to His followers makes Scripture come alive with meaning for us, right here, right now.

Sallie has her own darkness, extreme loneliness. She explains to Orson how she functions despite her great lack.
“I have to remember that I am not actually alone. That God will never leave me. That no matter the danger, the hardship, the darkness, God is there. Will always be there. That He’s never more than a breath away.”

I love how the people on Orson’s ranch care for him despite his prickly nature. They’re not afraid to confront him, care for him, and even cheer for him as the occasion demands. Anchorman is one of my faves!

The faith element is strong, well-placed but not over-powering, and helps make the characters who they become. Bravo!

I received a copy of this book from the author and JustRead Tours. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“God made you. He knows every broken part of you. Let Him shine light in those dark places.”

“Two are better than one.”

“forced trust was no trust at all. It must be a choice.”

“Horses didn’t scare her. They gave her courage.”
Profile Image for Connie Hill.
1,881 reviews47 followers
February 25, 2025
My Thoughts

Heart of Beauty is written by Danielle Grandinetti. This is book 11 in the Hearts of the West Series. The series is written by multiple authors, and are all tied together by the Western theme.

One of the things I love the most about this author is the way she transports readers back in time. In this story we’re traveling back to Blue Spruce, Montana in 1871. The author did a wonderful job with descriptions and as I read I could see everything unfolding around me. I also loved the spin on Beauty and the Beast.

Sal has a way with horses. When Caleb’s prized horse escapes she needs to find it. She’s been able to lie low and avoid marriage. But there is one that is determined to make her his wife. That one is Brendon.

Brendon isn’t a nice person. He doesn’t respect women or any of God’s creation. However he’s set his sites on Sal and won’t stop until she’s his.

I loves the blend of suspense and romance. I loved all the details that the author put into his story.

Thank You to the author, publisher and JustRead Publicity Tours for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
1,003 reviews34 followers
February 13, 2025
The west can be a dangerous place for women, and Brendan Doran is enough of a threat that Sallie's father has passed her off all her life as his son. But when she finds him mistreating a horse, she's so upset she breaks her cover. Worse, she ends up stuck at a man's ranch overnight - and even longer. The rancher intrigues her, but she can see the fear in him. She can gentle horses - but can she gentle him? Caleb came back from the war convinced that the darkness he's seen has stained his soul so much that he has nothing to offer anyone. But when Doran refuses to let Sallie escape his plans for her, Caleb will stand up for her whatever it takes. But will it be enough?

A touching story of a man who considers himself beyond forgiveness or hope, and the woman who shows him love. I've looked at books by the author before but never actually got started - well, now I'll have to bump them up my TBR. The writing is good, the storyline interesting, the characters people I enjoyed getting to know (well, except Doran of course!), and the inspirational message woven throughout meaningful and a great reminder of God's love. I particularly loved the way Caleb's 'people' supported him, not being afraid to tell him awkward truths, but there when he needed it. And the relationship between Caleb and Sallie was beautiful. All in all, a good read - 4.5 stars.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
Profile Image for Carla Bruns.
103 reviews16 followers
February 12, 2025
In 1871 Blue Spruce, Montana, Sal (Sallie) Beauregard reveals her true identity while rescuing Caleb Orson’s escaped stallion from the brutish Brendan Doran. Stranded at Caleb’s ranch, she’s under his protection, but Doran refuses to lose—first a horse, now a woman—and is determined to make Sallie his wife. A bond forms as she trains Caleb’s stallion, threatening Doran’s plans. Doran will have Sallie, by any means necessary.

Oh. My. Gosh. This book. I was so engrossed that I looked down at my Kindle and saw I was 50% through in no time. Granted, it’s a shorter book (186 pages), but it could have been twice as long, and the same thing would’ve happened.

Sallie’s predicament drew me in. Raised by her dad after losing her mom when she was small, she had to pretend to be a boy in public to avoid unwanted attention on the frontier. But her kindness and love for animals put her at risk. Caleb was sweet and caring but hardened by war, convinced his heart wasn’t worth giving. I wanted to scream, “Yes, it is!”—though others tried to tell him, just less dramatically.

Beyond Sallie and Caleb, I loved Mr. and Mrs. Thomas—a sweet, caring couple. Doran? Not so much. But without a villain, this wouldn’t have been nearly as good.

This was my first Grandinetti book, but not my last. This is book 10 of 14 in the multi-author Hearts of the West series, it left me wanting more—but it can be read as a standalone. It's perfect for historical fiction fans who love seeing the white knight (or cowboy) triumph over evil.

𝘐 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.
Profile Image for Christy.
1,274 reviews68 followers
February 14, 2025
Heart of Beauty by Danielle Grandinetti is a heartwarming retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I loved it so much and didn’t want to put it down! Its primary tropes are grumpy/sunshine and forced proximity, both of which I love!

Heart of Beauty has lots of nods to the fairytale. If you’re like I am, you’ll enjoy recognizing the familiar scenes and having “aha” moments! In fact, the more I think about it, the more I realize things that I missed….which makes it even more fun! This retelling takes place in Montana in 1871.

Sallie Beauregard lost her mother at a very young age, and since that time, her father has passed her off as his son, Sal. He knows that women are scarce and that many men have evil in their hearts. Dressed as a boy and never speaking while in town, Sallie has been able to fly under the radar of the men who pay her no mind. However, when she is a young woman, a runaway horse takes away all of the pretense. Sallie’s world is shaken when her father leaves her in the protective care of Caleb Orson ... .Protection she needs from Brendan Doran, a horrible man, since he decides she should be his wife.

In Heart of Beauty, Grandinetti gives us a variety of well-written characters. I loved Sallie and Caleb’s characters and their love story. The secondary characters play important roles in the book, and I liked getting to know them. You can really picture the setting of this book and the scenes in it because of the author’s beautifully descriptive writing. I loved the way the author worked scenes from Beauty and the Beast into scenes fitting the old west. This is also a very inspirational book with Bible passages throughout.

I highly recommend Heart of Beauty for its wonderful retelling of Beauty and the Beast, heartwarming romance, wonderful characters, descriptive setting, and inspirational Bible passages. 5 stars!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Emily.
504 reviews16 followers
February 10, 2025
Heart of Beauty is the second book I have read written by Danielle Grandinetti, and it will not be the last. This retelling of Beauty and the Beast with a Western spin on it was perfection. I look forward to the next book Danielle writes.

The character development was great. I loved getting to know Caleb and Sallie. They brought so much to the Belle and the Beast-inspired characters.

The setting and storyline were perfect. This was a shorter book, which made for a quick read but was not lacking in detail. I loved the Western frontier as the setting. It gave a fun spin on the tale. The storyline was great and easy to follow along. It was easy to see the parallels to the Beauty and the Beast. I also loved that they were working with horses.

The romance element was sweet. There was nothing over the top, just kisses only. I loved the slow falling-in-love element. Though Sallie is only there out of convenience, it makes for a fun romance.

Danielle Grandinetti did a great job intertwining faith throughout the whole book.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Jo|Ruth Reads.
654 reviews80 followers
February 4, 2025
This story was absolutely captivating! Forced proximity at its finest, with a perfect blend of Beauty and the Beast vibes... the PERFECT combination! I loved every moment of it! I couldn't put it down and ended up reading it all in one morning because I just had to finish it!

Sallie has been concealing her true identity in a small town, determined to avoid anyone discovering that she's an eligible woman. But when a runaway horse leads her to Caleb, the town’s reclusive loner, she accidentally reveals who she is, and worse, in front of Doran. Doran is used to getting what he wants, and now his sights are set on Sallie. When her father realizes the danger she’s in, he sends her to Caleb’s ranch with instructions to stay and help with his horses. Caleb is quiet, grumpy, and has a tendency to growl, but Sallie, skilled in breaking wild horses, is determined to get past his tough exterior and uncover the man beneath.

Caleb has been broken by war, and he’s convinced that a solitary, quiet life is all he can expect. But when Sallie is around, he begins to feel emotions he hasn’t experienced before. He sees himself as the “beast” and her as the “beauty,” and feels undeserving of any future with her. They both try to suppress their feelings, but just as they begin to give in, Doran becomes an even greater threat to them both. Their growing closeness not only puts Sallie in danger but also Caleb. Should they walk away from each other to keep each other safe, or is it worth fighting for a love that could heal them both?

For me, I'd give this story 4.5 stars, and I rounded it up to 5! It’s one of my favorites from Danielle, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next. You had me hooked from the moment I realized it was a Beauty and the Beast retelling! 😊

𝑷𝒔𝒂𝒍𝒎 𝟏𝟐𝟏:𝟏-𝟐: “𝑰 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒕 𝒖𝒑 𝒎𝒚 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔—𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎? 𝑴𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒐𝒓𝒅, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒉.”



Profile Image for Courtney Ranger.
Author 3 books67 followers
February 20, 2025
Danielle Grandinetti's Heart of Beauty is part of the Hearts of the West multi-author series. It is a western retelling of Beauty and the Beast and it completely captured my heart!!!

Wow!!!!!!! This book was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Danielle can definitely write a retelling!!!!!!!!!! Heart of Beauty completely blew me away!!!!!!!!!!

Sallie, the protagonist, was such a beautiful, complex character. I loved watching her learn to trust God throughout the book and help others through her example. Sallie, while certainly a bit of a tomboy, is still feminine, which is not a contrast most authors can write well. I love how she uses her good nature to connect with man and beast alike.

Caleb is such a sweetheart!!!!!!!!!! I love how protective he is of his horses and Sallie!!!!! He is a man of integrity, even if he doesn't realize it. I love how he learns to let down the walls he's built to protect his heart and learns to love. He's such a great character, and I love him!!!!!!!!!!

I've never been a horse girl (I find horses a bit terrifying), but I loved the scenes with the horses!!!! I loved watching Sallie interact with the horses and how her way with horses can be applied to working with people.

Danielle wove in great faith elements without it feeling forced. It made sense when the characters quoted scriptures, and their faith journeys were just all around beautiful.

If you love historical fiction and fairy tale retellings, READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!! It is SO INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You will LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

I received an advance copy of this book. My opinions are my own. A positive review was not required.
Profile Image for Erin.
2,108 reviews17 followers
February 20, 2025
Ready for a great historical fiction novel? Want to learn some history while also enjoying a sweet romance with Christian values? How about reading a retelling of a fairy tale?

If you answered yes to any of these you will love this classic historical fiction/western retelling of Beauty and the Beast. As a child Beauty and the Beast was one of my favorite fairy tales. Mainly it was because of the books though because I was an avid reader and I wanted that library!

Sallie is Belle and Caleb is the beast in this retelling.
You’re in Montana in the 1800’s. It’s the wild west. Brendon is convinced he will wed Sallie. He’s our Gaston. Sallie’s father has asked Caleb to keep an eye on her and protect her. Sallie loves working with horses. She has a gift. We’re horse people on our farm so I could relate to Sallie with that.

He’s grumpy. She’s a ray of sunshine.
Sallie and her father have lived a nomadic life. They settle down a bit to work on Caleb’s ranch with his horses.

If you’ve read anything by this author you’ll know that her works are amazing. They flow so well and keep you reading because you have to know what will happen next. The settings and people are vividly described and feel like they come to life.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Profile Image for Meagan Myhren-Bennett.
Author 29 books162 followers
February 16, 2025
Heart of Beauty
Hearts of the West #11
By Danielle Grandinetti

Caleb Orson is considered to be a beast, at least in his personality. And he may be a big guy with a beard that hides most of his face. And he can be a bit grumpy. Okay he's a beast, but he lives with the memories of what he saw during the war and the lives he took. Now he's responsible for Sal Beauregard.

Sallie's been disguising herself for years. Her father was determined to keep her hidden away from Brendan Doran. But when Sallie accidentally reveals her true identity while trying to save Caleb's stallion from Doran, she finds herself the target of Doran. He wants to claim her as his wife. And in Doran's opinion she has no choice but to accept.

This a enjoyable read that offers a twist on the Beauty and the Beast theme. This is a sweet read and would appeal to fans of Janette Oke's Love Comes Softly books. For those who have read Daniella Grandinetti's previous works there is a link. Oh, yes, I'm giving you a teaser and not saying anything else. But this was a quick read perfect for a weekend when you need to get out of the cold. (I'm currently enjoying subzero temps, so, yeah I'm all about seeking out ways to avoid the outdoors.) This book is a great way to be introduced to the author's writing if you have yet to read any of her work. I highly recommend it and feel it is appropriate for those 13 years or older.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Christi.
1,158 reviews34 followers
February 18, 2025
A quick read with a great flow, Heart of Beauty was a nice escape. I always enjoy characters that see past the surface level to see the true beauty within. Beauty and the Beast is a classic, and this retelling was a sweet rendition and created such a wonderful backstory for one of my favorite characters from the Harbored on Crow’s Nest series.

It’s clear that Caleb is a tortured soul, and seeing himself through the bright light of Sallie’s goodness is almost too much for him to bear. He doesn’t feel like he deserves good, and it’s heartbreaking to witness as it’s clear this man has a pure heart. Sallie’s fierceness and strength are admirable, especially when you consider the setting. Pretending to be a boy for as long as she did helped, but faith has what has truly given her a firm foundation, and seeing her persevere is inspiring.

I always enjoy action scenes, and there are a few moments that are pretty intense, and one scene in particular is one of those situations that haunts my nightmares.

Overall, I thought this novel was pretty perfect! The characters are wonderful, the scenery picturesque, and it is a story that is easy to get lost in. I’m in love.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
404 reviews15 followers
January 29, 2025
Danielle Grandinetti's "Heart of Beauty" is a wonderful Beauty and the Beast retelling set in 1800's Montana. Sallie has lived her life with her father and horses as her sole company with books as her friends. When she and her father come to town, everyone knows her as "Sal", a boy who only talks to horses. Caleb lives in seclusion at a ranch and rarely interacts with others unless forced to. Once a man from town realizes "Sal" is really "Sallie", the story gets going and leads the reader on a delightful tale, filled with twists and turns.

I really enjoyed the length of the book. This is a shorter book but a lot is packed into it creating a fulfilling story. The story is very faith-filled and I like how it points the reader to God. It is cleanly written, with just a bit of kissing. This is a book suitable for adults since some more unsavory topics of things that happened in the old west are mentioned. Nothing is graphic, but this book does have some suspense, danger and mystery in it.

If you are looking for a nice, shorter suspenseful historical book, definitely look into picking this one up. I look forward to reading whatever Grandinetti writes next!

Thank you to the author for an opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Profile Image for Paula Shreckhise.
1,530 reviews137 followers
February 7, 2025
Sal is hiding her femininity under the guise that she is the son of a reclusive trapper. But one day, the ruse is up when she rescues a runaway horse. Now a villain wants to force her to become his wife. Her dad has other ideas like placing her under the protection of Caleb, the owner of the skittish horse. Good thing, Sallie is an animal whisperer. It turns out she can tame the human beast, Caleb, as well as horses and bulls.
This was a great story, based on Beauty and the Beast, and set in Montana in 1871. With believable characters, excitement, and a heroine, with a strong faith, this slant on the fairytale boasts a huge library that catches the interest of Sallie.
Ms Grandinetti always delights me with her flowing prose, interesting plots and inspiring faith thread. And let’s not forget the sweet romance!
If you like fairytale retellings, this one is for you.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Heart Spot Publishers on behalf of the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*
Profile Image for Holly Bleggi.
1,354 reviews24 followers
February 18, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the characters and the setting. I liked how this story was loosely based on Beauty and the Beast and I loved how Sallie helped Caleb to see his worth. I loved how Sallie was so good at helping calm scared animals and how her kind heart was able to help Caleb deal with the things he saw during the war. I also liked how others were able to see Caleb’s goodness even when he couldn’t and encouraged Sallie and him to spend time together. I liked the matchmaking that some of the people around Sallie and Caleb did. I also liked the bit of adventure that was mixed in with the romance. I would definitely recommend this book.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Ausjenny.
394 reviews
February 12, 2025
Thanks to Just Read Tours for my reader copy. I have the book on pre-order and will edit according once I receive my copy.

This is my first book by Danielle and it won't be my last. I enjoyed the book right from the start. The book starts with Sal (short for Sallie) Beauregard and her father going to town. Sallie has been disguising herself as a boy since she was little for her own safety. Once in town a run away stallion comes through the town out of control. Sallie jumps on her horse not thinking of anything except she has to stop him and calm him. She has always been better with animals than people.

The local Saloon owner wants to stop the stallion once and for all and she is going to save him. The owner, Caleb Orson is also in pursuit of the stallion. When she has the horse and the men close in is where she speaks and her identity if found out. This leads to drama and her under Calebs protection.

I loved Sallie's confidence with the horses how she had no fear and while she scared others she knew what she was doing. She also has a deep faith which helps her through the tough moments. Of course the Saloon owner isn't going to give up on her and will cause drama which leads to some tense scenes. Caleb is also a hurting soul who feels unworthy of love and forgiveness. He was in the Civil war and we see how it affects men.

The book doesn't lag and the tension and drama increase as the story plays out. I could have kept reading this story as I didn't want it to end. All the books in the Hearts of the West multi author series that I have read I have enjoyed and have discovered some new authors.

If you like historical fiction and books set in the West give these books a try.
31 reviews1 follower
January 15, 2025
Heart of Beauty is such a wonderful book. It's filled with excitement, mystery, and joy. I really enjoyed Salle and her trust In the Lord. It was so much amazing to.see her working with horses. This is one of my favorite books by Danielle Grandinette. I was given this book by the author. All thoughts are my own.
539 reviews20 followers
February 14, 2025
A great western romance

I have read most of this author's books and enjoyed them all. It was neat to get a look at one of the characters again at the end of this book.
Romance can be a struggle if you feel alone, afraid, or beaten down. This story is beautiful.
786 reviews5 followers
March 2, 2025
Beautiful story

Beautiful descriptions, well crafted characters and a unique plot combine to create a story worth reading. I loved the perfectly detailed scenes, including the horses and gorgeous Montana. Definitely worth the read.
Profile Image for Linda Hoover.
Author 6 books222 followers
March 27, 2025
I really enjoyed Heart of Beauty by Danielle Grandinetti. Her characters are wonderful and her descriptions made me feel as if I was there. This is a good Beauty and the Beast retelling
Profile Image for Colleen Marie.
Author 3 books21 followers
April 7, 2025
A wonderful retelling of Beauty and the Beast. The story captured me from the first pages and the romance was the perfect blend of slow burn true love! Loved it!
Profile Image for Teri Easterling.
178 reviews1 follower
December 19, 2025
enjoyed the story

A lot happens in a short time frame. God’s Word is referenced often as guidance in decision making which I liked. The Beauty and the Beast allusions are fun.
Profile Image for Penny Zeller.
Author 47 books946 followers
January 10, 2025
Heart of Beauty combines a unique plot, sweet romance, and faith to create a tale that will delight everyone who enjoys Christian historical romance. I appreciated how thorough and attentive Grandinetti was in her historical accuracy, and I would definitely recommend this book.


I was given an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Profile Image for Betti.
1,371 reviews37 followers
February 13, 2025
This lovely retelling of the Beauty and the Beast is set in 1871 Montana. Sallie Beauregard has lived with her widowed father in the mountains all her life. A beautiful young lady, inside and out, dressing as a young man whenever heading into town and never speaking to anyone, she remained safe. One traumatized horse changed everything.

What a special story of a horse that needed healing and a young rancher that had experienced too much horror in the war. Sallie’s close relationship with her Heavenly Father gave her the words to say and healing was initiated. Plenty of excitement rounds out this story from a favorite author of mine.

This book was received through Hearth Spot Press. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.
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